The Cross River State Government, in partnership with Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), Nigeria Environmental Society (NES) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society, launched a massive sensitization campaign on Friday to address the 2024 flood disaster and its warning strategies across the state.
The awareness campaign, themed “Downscaling Early Warning Information on Flood to the Communities,” was officially flagged off at the Calabar Municipal Council Ground by the Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Apostle (Hon) James Anam.
He emphasized the Governor Bassey Otu-led administration’s dedication to combating the threats posed by floods and other natural disasters.
Anam highlighted that the initiative aims to raise awareness about the heavy rainfall predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which lists Cross River as one of the states likely to experience severe rainfall and potential flooding in 2024.
He stressed the importance of proper waste disposal and flood preparedness for the well-being of communities and the environment, to mitigate the anticipated impact of flooding.
Reaffirming his agency’s commitment to achieving zero flood casualties in 2024, Anam called on residents to follow safety guidelines.
Regarding the agency’s strategy to extend the sensitization campaign to the grassroots, Anam stated that his team will visit the Northern Senatorial District on Tuesday, August 27th, 2024, and the Central Senatorial District on Wednesday, August 28th, 2024.
In a goodwill message, Prof. Emmanuel Eyo, the State Coordinator of the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), praised the efforts of the State Emergency Management Agency under Apostle (Hon) Anam’s leadership.
He assured the SEMA Director General of NEWMAP’s continued collaboration to explore long-term and sustainable solutions to both natural and human-induced disasters, particularly in flood-prone communities.
Similarly, a representative of the State Rural Water and Sanitation Agency (RUWATSA) urged citizens to comply with state environmental laws by avoiding indiscriminate waste disposal and constructing structures on riverbanks and floodplains. He noted that floods contaminate surface and drinking water, potentially leading to widespread disease outbreaks.
The event was attended by Directors from SEMA, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigerian Red Cross Society, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as well as the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), among others
The highlight of the event was an advocacy walk from Millennium Park to Calabar Municipal Council Ground and a presentation on flood risk by Associate Professor Philomena Asuquo of the Department of Oceanography, University of Calabar.
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