CALABAR– As wet season enters her most critical months of the year, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA ) and Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) on Thursday held a Disaster Risk Management Implications of the Seasonal Rainfall Prediction and Early warning stakeholders meeting at SEMA Office Calabar were it was disclosed that 254 villages from 11 Local Government Areas of the State maybe affected by high and low probable flooding in 2020.
The Director General of NEMA, AVM Muhammadu Alhaji Muhammed (Rtd.) who spoke through the South South Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Walson I.Brandon said 2020 is a tough year of flood disaster management, a herculean task on top Covid-19 pandemic the Country is currently battling to contain.
According to him out of 18 LGAs of Cross River State,11 LGAs are to be affected by floods which are Calabar South, Calabar Municipality, Abi, Akpabuyo, Obudu and Odukpani on the high probable risk LGAs while Yakurr, Obubra, Yala, Boki, Bakassi and Ogoja are there probable risk LGAs.
He noted that emergency camping for flood victims and also moving from lower ground to higher ground will likely take place in those marked areas as he appealed to the State Government to take proactive measures ahead of time.
Earlier Speaking Director General of SEMA, Mr Princewill Ayim said the Agency have taken steps to mitigate the effect of this year’s flooding including identifying high grounds for possible IDP Camps to shelter evacuated communities.
“We assure you that the Agency has concluded plans to begin public Enlightenment Campaign such Radio and TV jingles, targeting vulnerable communities to undertake mitigation actions and prepare for evacuation to safer ground.
The State Government through the Ministry of Welfare and Humanitarian Affairs had started distributing food items to every Ward of the state, especially in the marked risk LGAs: He said.
“As I speak to you now, His Excellency, Senator Prof Ben Ayade has directed Urban Development Authorities of Calabar, Ogoja, Ikom etc to begin environmental removal of refuge, weeds, water hyacinths and float from water channels, drainages on all avenues for free flow of flood waters amongst others.
He went further to state that stockpiling of relief materials (Food & Non-food items) that will be needed in providing succour to people that may be affected has been taken care of by the State Government.
