NEMA, CR-SEMA Lead Multi-Agency Flood Assessment as Stakeholders Rally Response to Calabar Flood Disaster

By David Asu

The Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), on Friday led a multi-agency on-the-spot assessment of communities affected by Thursday night's devastating flood in Calabar, bringing together key stakeholders to evaluate the extent of the damage and coordinate an effective government response.

The assessment, led by the Director General of CR-SEMA, Mr. Efa Nyong, alongside the Head of Operations, NEMA Akwa Ibom/Cross River Office, Mrs. Mmandu Aisueni, covered some of the worst-hit locations including Ibom Close Big Qua Town, Murray Street, Elijah Henshaw Street, Webber and Atu Street.

Joining the assessment were the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Rosemary Onah, the State Director of Information, Mr. David Akate, representatives of the Federal Fire Service, Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Red Cross Society, members of the Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC), the media and other critical stakeholders.

At Ibom Close, the team inspected homes submerged by floodwaters and interacted with residents who recounted the devastating impact of the rainfall on lives and livelihoods. 

Leading the team round the affected residence at Ibom Close, the APC State Secretary, Mr. Patrick Asikpo Okon who is also a resident of the street, identified inadequate drainage infrastructure as a major contributor to the flooding.

He explained that the existing drainage channels were too narrow to accommodate the volume of stormwater and called for the urgent desilting of Channel One, expansion of drainage networks and engineering modifications to prevent floodwaters from flowing back into surrounding neighbourhoods.

Speaking during the assessment, the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, said the State Government's response was in line with Governor Senator Prince Bassey Otu's People's First Mantra, stressing that the welfare and safety of citizens remain the administration's foremost priority.

He disclosed that he immediately joined the assessment after receiving information from the Director General of CR-SEMA and the Head of Operations of NEMA, emphasizing the importance of obtaining first-hand information on the disaster.

Dr. Ekpang observed that Channel One, which receives stormwater from the Marian axis, had become heavily blocked, significantly contributing to the flooding experienced in affected communities.

He assured residents that Government would work towards desilting the affected drainage channels and redirecting stormwater flow where necessary to reduce future occurrences.

The Commissioner also warned that flood-affected communities could become vulnerable to waterborne diseases in the aftermath of the disaster, assuring residents that Government would take the necessary steps to address both the immediate humanitarian needs and long-term environmental concerns.

The assessment team later proceeded to Murray Street, where sections of drainage infrastructure collapsed under the pressure of the flood, leaving adjoining buildings exposed to further damage.

Also participating in the exercise was the Vice Chairman of Calabar South Local Government, Lady Atim Martin, alongside representatives of the Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) in Calabar South, who joined stakeholders in evaluating the impact of the disaster on affected communities. 

At Elijah Henshaw Street, stakeholders assessed the area where floodwaters reportedly claimed the life of a one-year-three-month-old child, while Atu Street also recorded varying degrees of destruction to homes and public infrastructure.

Following the field assessment, stakeholders reconvened at the CR-SEMA headquarters to review observations and recommend immediate and long-term interventions.

Speaking during the debriefing, the Director General of CR-SEMA, Mr. Efa Nyong, commended the Head of Operations, NEMA Akwa Ibom/Cross River Office, Mrs. Mmandu Aisueni, and her team for their commitment and professionalism despite the rainfall.

He noted that the joint assessment demonstrated the importance of inter-agency collaboration in disaster management and assured stakeholders that every observation made during the exercise had been documented and would form part of a comprehensive report to be presented to Governor Senator Prince Bassey Otu for prompt government intervention.

Also contributing The Head of Flood and Erosion Control in the Ministry of Environment, Engineer James Ekabua, commended both CR-SEMA and NEMA for initiating the joint assessment, describing the exercise as a practical demonstration of effective stakeholder collaboration.

He observed that virtually all the communities visited were known flood-prone areas and advocated greater investment in preventive measures, including improved drainage infrastructure, erosion control and environmental planning.

Representing the Commissioner for Information, the State Director of Information, Mr. David Akate, stressed the need for sustained public sensitization against indiscriminate construction on waterways and drainage corridors.

He noted that the findings from the joint assessment would be forwarded through the Honourable Commissioner for Information for presentation to the Governor to support informed decisions on flood mitigation and emergency response.

The representative of the Federal Fire Service, DSF Maureen Okon, reiterated that the Service's mandate extends beyond firefighting to include emergency response during flood and other disaster situations, assuring residents of its continued support whenever emergencies occur.

Also speaking, the Head of Operations, NEMA Akwa Ibom/Cross River Office, Mrs. Mmandu Aisueni, called for intensified public sensitization against indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage channels, noting that environmental abuse continues to worsen flooding across urban communities.

Mrs. Aisueni disclosed that NEMA would expand awareness campaigns through flyers, radio jingles and community-based sensitization programmes in local languages while advocating the urgent desilting of Channels One and Two as well as strict enforcement against structures obstructing natural waterways.