In a determined effort to safeguard the residents of Cross River State during the rainy season and as a proactive measure against potential flood disasters, the Cross River State Government has taken its flood disaster awareness campaign to the five local government areas in the Northern Senatorial DistrictDistrict of the state.
The campaign was officially flag-off on Tuesday at Igoli, Ogoja Local Government Area by the State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu.
The Governor, who was represented at the event by the Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Apostle (Hon.) James Anam emphasized that the campaign is in line with the state government’s commitment to mitigating the severe impacts of flooding in the state.
Apostle Anam shared that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have alerted the state that Cross River is among the states predicted to experience unprecedented flooding in 2024. Given this warning, the government, under the leadership of the ‘People First’ Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, saw the necessity of sensitizing communities, particularly those in flood-prone areas, on the importance of adhering to safety precautions.
While stressing that the campaign would also involve community leaders, traditional rulers, churches, schools, youth groups, market women, and farmers, he disclosed that a similar campaign had already taken place in Calabar for the Southern Senatorial District.
Apostle Anam urged community members to support the government’s flood prevention efforts by avoiding the indiscriminate dumping of waste in drainage systems, refraining from constructing buildings on drainage paths, and relocating to higher ground if they are in areas at risk of flooding.
Earlier in his address, the Executive Secretary of the Ogoja Urban Development Authority, Mr. Amah Aboje commended Governor Bassey Otu and his deputy, Rt Hon. Peter Odey for prioritizing the welfare of the people. He assured the Director General of SEMA of his organization’s support in ensuring that residents of the Northern Senatorial District are well-informed about flood risks and continue to maintain cleanliness and proper waste management.
In her goodwill message, the Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA) for Ogoja LGA, Mrs. Ekunke Ogar, expressed gratitude to Governor Otu for bringing the sensitization campaign to the grassroots. She noted that this was the first time such a campaign had been conducted in Ogoja during her tenure, which would help prepare her people for the predicted flooding by federal agencies.
Similarly, the Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ogoja Local Government Area, Comr. Timothy Unyi, praised the State Emergency Management Agency, under the leadership of Apostle (Hon.) James Anam, for proactively leading the campaign and assured that the youth of Ogoja and the Northern Senatorial District at large would disseminate the flood safety messages to their respective communities and faith-based organizations.
The sensitization campaign included public enlightenment talks by SEMA officials and an advocacy walk across major streets in Ogoja main town.
