By Abdullahi Lukman
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA) and the Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) in Biase, has assessed flood-affected communities in Cross River State to determine the extent of damage and identify the urgent needs of displaced residents.
The assessment covered Ikot Okpora, Agwagune, Erei South and Ibini in Biase Local Government Area, where flooding has submerged homes, farmlands and plantations, disrupted livelihoods and rendered some areas inaccessible by road.
During the exercise, the assessment team used canoes to reach parts of Ikot Okpora submerged by floodwaters, including residential areas, markets and other important locations.
The youth leader of Ikot Okpora commended the federal and state governments for responding to the community’s concerns, while appealing for urgent relief assistance, particularly non-food items, to help affected residents rebuild their homes and recover after the floodwaters recede.
In Agwagune, the team observed extensive flooding of farmlands and palm plantations, raising concerns about agricultural losses and the economic impact on farming households. Further inspections were conducted in Erei South and Ibini to document the effects of the disaster.
The Director-General of CR-SEMA, Mr Efa Nyong, represented by the Vice Chairman of Biase Local Government Area, Hon. Ekuma Ngwu, said on-the-spot assessments were essential for documenting the damage and determining the immediate needs of affected communities.
He emphasised the need for sustained cooperation among NEMA, CR-SEMA, LEMCs and other stakeholders to ensure that the findings inform appropriate relief and recovery interventions.
The Acting Head of Operations for NEMA in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, Mr Austin Awoji, said the exercise would provide firsthand information on the scale of flooding, property damage and livelihood disruptions to guide the agency’s subsequent response.
Awoji also urged residents of riverine communities to heed flood early-warning alerts and move to higher ground before water levels become dangerous, stressing that timely evacuation was crucial to protecting lives and reducing the impact of flooding.
