Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, on Monday visited communities devastated by recent flooding and landslides in Calabar, where he consoled the family of a toddler who died after being swept away by floodwaters.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Otu toured the affected areas alongside the Director-General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), Efa Nyong, government officials, engineers, the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other emergency response stakeholders.
The governor inspected the destruction in Elijah Henshaw Street, Webber Street, Atu Street, Ibesikpo Street, Mayne Avenue by Atakpa and other affected locations in Calabar Municipality and Calabar South Local Government Areas.
During the visit, Otu met with residents and business owners impacted by the disaster and assured them that his administration would stand by them during the difficult period.
He also sympathized with the family of the deceased toddler, reaffirming his government’s commitment to protecting lives and property under its “People First” agenda.
The governor commended CR-SEMA for its swift response, noting that the agency’s rapid assessment had guided the government’s emergency interventions.
He announced that the evacuation of displaced residents would begin immediately, while comprehensive assessments would be conducted to ensure that relief materials reach all genuine victims without delay.
“There will also be comprehensive assessments of all affected locations to ensure relief materials reach genuinely impacted victims without delay,” Otu said.
Earlier, CR-SEMA Director-General Efa Nyong said the agency had maintained a continuous presence in the affected communities, conducting damage assessments following the floods and landslides.
According to him, the agency is working with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigerian Red Cross Society, security agencies and relevant ministries to document losses and identify the immediate needs of victims.
Nyong assured residents that CR-SEMA would sustain emergency response efforts while intensifying public awareness campaigns on flood preparedness and disaster risk reduction.
NAN reports that days of torrential rainfall have triggered widespread flooding across parts of Calabar, leaving several communities submerged and destroying homes and other property.
SOURCE: NAN
