Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River on Monday visited flood and landslide-ravaged communities in Calabar, including the family of a toddler killed by floodwaters.
The governor inspected the affected areas alongside the Director-General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), Mr Efa Nyong.
Others in the governor’s entourage included government officials, engineers, the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other emergency response stakeholders.
The areas visited include Elijah Henshaw Street, Webber Street, Atu Street, Ibesikpo Street, Mayne Avenue by Atakpa, among others, in Calabar Municipality and Calabar South Local Government Areas.
Otu, who met with residents and business owners in the devastated areas, used the opportunity to console the family that lost their child to the flood.
Expressing sympathy, he assured residents that his administration would not abandon them during difficult times.
The governor commended CR-SEMA for its prompt response, saying the agency’s timely assessments had guided government’s emergency decisions.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property, stressing that residents’ welfare remained central to his “People’s First” agenda.
Otu assured residents that the evacuation of displaced persons from the affected communities would commence immediately as part of the government’s immediate response measures.
“There will also be comprehensive assessments of all affected locations to ensure relief materials reach genuinely impacted victims without delay,” he said.
Earlier, CR-SEMA Director-General, Mr Efa Nyong, said the agency had maintained continuous presence in the affected communities, conducting assessments following the flood and landslide incidents across the state.
He said the agency was collaborating with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigerian Red Cross Society, security agencies and relevant ministries to document losses and identify victims’ immediate needs.
Nyong assured residents that CR-SEMA would sustain its emergency response while intensifying public sensitisation on flood preparedness and disaster risk reduction.
Calabar metropolis has in the last four days witnessed torrential rainfall that triggered flooding in parts of the city and destroyed properties.
