25-Year-Old Calabar Trees Pose Threat To Residents

Residents, traders and motorists plying White House Street in the Calabar metropolis have raised alarm over old, decaying trees planted during the administration of former Governor Donald Duke, which now pose a threat to them.

LEADERSHIP checks revealed that most of the trees planted over 25 years ago as part of Calabar’s beautification programme have become old, dead and decayed, with their branches breaking and falling at regular intervals.

Of particular concern is a large, almost dead tree on White House Street whose dead branches, according to the residents, fall regularly, forcing pedestrians and motorists to scamper for safety.

A mechanic workshop owner on 86, White House Street, Mr Inyang Ndarake, who recounted his ordeal, said a falling branch recently damaged his roof.

“Last time, one of the branches fell off and damaged my roof, and I spent N50,000 to repair it. I had even met some persons who claimed to be working with Calabar Urban Development Authority (CUDA) to get this tree off since it is a property of the state government, but I was told to pay N100,000 before it can be brought down,” he said.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP on Monday, a shop owner, Mrs Antonia Edem, said they now live in fear.

“We are always scared, especially when there is wind. Last week, a big branch fell and almost killed a school child. This tree was beautiful before, but now it has become dangerous,” she said.

A tricycle operator who plies the Ekpo Abasi-White House to Watt Market route, Mr Kingsley Njok, also lamented that the trees which were once the pride of Calabar have now turned into death traps.

“The government should come and cut these dead ones. They are no longer useful; they are dangerous,” he added.

When contacted, the Cross River State Commissioner for Environment, Barr. Bassey Mensah said the ministry is aware of the challenge of ageing trees within the Calabar metropolis.

He assured that his ministry, in collaboration with the Calabar Urban Development Authority, CUDA, will carry out an immediate assessment of the White House Street tree for urgent attention and necessary action to avert loss of lives.

“I am going to send one of my staff to that area to look at the tree to enable us to take action about the dead tree,” Mensah said.

Residents are therefore appealing to the State Government to urgently prune and remove dead trees not only on White House Street but also on other major streets in Calabar to avert an impending tragedy and reclaim Calabar’s status as Nigeria’s cleanest and greenest city.