Federal Government Moves to Support Cross River as South South Development Commission Leads Disaster Assessment Tour

By David Asu

The Federal Government, through the South South Development Commission (SSDC), in collaboration with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society, has conducted a comprehensive assessment of flood and landslide-affected communities in Calabar as part of efforts to coordinate humanitarian interventions and develop long-term environmental resilience strategies across the South-South region.

The assessment, carried out on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, was led by the Managing Director of the South South Development Commission, Miss Usoro Offiong Akpabio, whose visit underscored the Federal Government's commitment to supporting Cross River State in addressing the humanitarian and environmental challenges arising from recent flood and landslide disasters.

She was accompanied by the Director General of CR-SEMA, officials of NEMA and the Nigerian Red Cross Society as the delegation visited major disaster sites and temporary shelters to obtain firsthand information on the impact of the disasters.

The delegation first visited the landslide site at Anansa Street, where they inspected the extensive damage caused by soil erosion that has continued to threaten residential buildings and public infrastructure.

The team thereafter proceeded to Big Qua, where severe flooding had washed away fences and damaged several residential properties before moving to Elijah Henshaw and Atu Street, where they assessed blocked drainage channels, damaged waterways and other environmental factors contributing to recurring flooding within the metropolis.

The assessment also took the delegation to temporary shelters established for displaced persons at the Nigerian Red Cross Society Building and the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, where they interacted with internally displaced persons (IDPs), humanitarian workers and volunteers providing relief and welfare support.

The delegation concluded the exercise with an inspection of the CR-SEMA Central Warehouse, where emergency relief materials are stored and coordinated for disaster response operations across the State.

Speaking during the assessment, the Managing Director of the South South Development Commission, Miss Usoro Offiong Akpabio, said the Federal Government considered it imperative to immediately identify with the people of Cross River State following the recent disasters, stressing that leadership must always be present whenever lives and livelihoods are under threat.

She explained that the Commission deliberately adjusted its official schedule to visit the affected communities, noting that the disaster was not merely about damaged infrastructure but about families who had lost loved ones, livelihoods and their sense of security.

According to her, although the Commission is newly established and still putting its institutional structures in place, humanitarian emergencies cannot wait, assuring that disaster response and environmental resilience would remain a priority for the Commission.

Miss Akpabio observed that flooding, coastal erosion and community displacement have become recurring challenges across the South-South region and disclosed that similar assessments would be conducted in other affected states to enable the Commission develop a coordinated regional intervention strategy rather than isolated responses.

She described climate change as a present reality requiring urgent action from governments and citizens alike, emphasizing the need for stronger environmental advocacy, proper urban planning, resilient infrastructure and improved public sanitation.

Recalling the environmental sanitation culture of earlier years, she urged residents to revive responsible environmental practices by keeping drainage channels free of refuse and supporting efforts aimed at preventing avoidable flooding.

The SSDC Managing Director commended Governor Senator Prince Bassey Otu for his swift response to the disaster and appreciated the efforts of CR-SEMA, NEMA, the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other first responders for standing with affected communities during the difficult period.

Addressing internally displaced persons at the Red Cross temporary shelter, Miss Akpabio assured victims that they had not been forgotten.

She sympathized with families who had lost their homes and means of livelihood, describing their courage as inspiring despite the difficult circumstances.

She further assured that the Federal Government, through the South South Development Commission, would work closely with the Cross River State Government, NEMA, CR-SEMA and other development partners to support humanitarian assistance, medical outreach, environmental assessments and long-term recovery programmes capable of rebuilding affected communities and strengthening disaster preparedness across the South-South region.

Also speaking, the representative of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) expressed sympathy to affected residents, explaining that the visit became necessary after the Agency received reports from CR-SEMA on the scale of destruction caused by the recent disasters.

He assured victims that the findings from the assessment would be presented to the Director General of NEMA for necessary consideration and intervention while commending the Cross River State Government for the support already being provided to displaced persons.

On his part, the Director General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), Mr. Efa Nyong, described the visit as a strong demonstration of the Federal Government's concern for the welfare of Cross River people, noting that the arrival of the South South Development Commission has reinforced confidence that additional humanitarian support will soon reach affected communities

He noted that the Federal Government's decision to deploy the South South Development Commission to personally assess affected communities, temporary shelters and landslide sites reflects a genuine commitment to understanding the realities on the ground before implementing lasting interventions.

Mr. Nyong noted that while the State Government has continued to respond within available resources, the visit provides renewed hope that additional support will soon reach affected communities.

He thanked the Managing Director and her team for taking time to assess the situation firsthand, expressing optimism that the assessment would translate into meaningful interventions for victims.

The CR-SEMA Director General further announced that the Agency would soon commence a comprehensive flood advocacy and public sensitization campaign across the eighteen Local Government Areas of the State.

He explained that the campaign would educate residents on proper waste disposal, the dangers of dumping refuse in drainage channels and other preventive measures aimed at reducing man-made causes of flooding.

Mr. Nyong urged Cross River residents to make environmental sanitation a daily responsibility, stressing that while natural disasters may not always be prevented, many flood incidents can be minimized through responsible environmental practices.