The access road to the Obudu Mountain Resort (formerly Obudu Cattle Ranch) in Cross River State has been reopened after a five-day closure caused by a landslide that disrupted transportation, stranded residents and tourists, and halted economic and tourism activities on the plateau.
The road, which was cut off by a landslide in the early hours of June 21, 2026, is the only access route to the renowned mountain resort. Its closure left the Ranch community isolated and prevented visitors, workers, and businesses from moving in and out of the area.
Community members have expressed gratitude to two prominent sons of Obanliku, Hon. Dr. Jeddy Agba and Dr. J.N. Dimla, whose intervention helped facilitate the reopening of the road.
“The Obudu Mountain road is now open. Thanks to two of our illustrious sons, Hon. Dr. Jeddy Agba and Dr. J.N. Dimla, who intervened in reopening the mountain road after five days of closure by landslides. The Ranch community is in a joyous mood today and prays that God grants them good health,” community member Joel Dimla said.
The reopening brings relief to residents and tourism operators, but community leaders say the development should not be mistaken for a permanent solution.
They are urging the Cross River State Government to undertake comprehensive engineering works on the road, warning that the rainy season has only just begun and the mountainous route remains highly vulnerable to additional landslides.
The incident occurred just eight days after youths in the Ranch community voluntarily cleared overgrown vegetation along the access road on June 13 to improve visibility and enhance safety for motorists, motorcyclists, and tourists.
Despite those efforts, heavy rains triggered a major landslide that blocked the road, highlighting the growing environmental challenges facing the Obudu Plateau.
Residents attribute the increasing frequency of landslides to persistent bush burning, deforestation, and unsustainable farming practices, which they say have weakened the soil and reduced the natural vegetation that helps stabilize the mountain slopes.
Community stakeholders warn that continued environmental degradation threatens not only road infrastructure but also the Obudu Plateau’s biodiversity, agricultural lands, and ecotourism potential.
They note that similar landslides have occurred in other parts of the plateau in recent years, describing the latest incident as a warning that broader environmental restoration is urgently needed.
During the road closure, residents said the scale of the landslide exceeded the capacity of local youths, who had only a few shovels available for debris removal, making external intervention essential.
Stakeholders are now calling on the Cross River State Government, the Obanliku Local Government Council, development partners, and environmental organizations to implement long-term measures, including slope stabilization, improved drainage systems, reforestation programmes, stricter controls on bush burning, and sustainable land-use practices.
They argue that such interventions are necessary to protect the Obudu Plateau’s fragile ecosystem and preserve one of Nigeria’s leading tourism destinations, renowned for its scenic mountain landscapes, temperate climate, cable car, and recreational facilities.
While residents are celebrating the reopening of the road, they stress that lasting government investment in road infrastructure and environmental conservation is essential to prevent future disruptions and ensure year-round access to the mountain resort.
