As floods continue to devastate communities across Nigeria, particularly in the northern states, the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA) in its avowed determination to mitigating the impacts of flooding in areas prone to flood, has taken its sensitization campaign on flood preparedness campaign to Abi Local Government Area on Friday.
Speaking at the sensitization program held at the Civic Centre in Ediba, Abi LGA, the Director General of CR-SEMA, Apostle (Hon.) James Anam, emphasized that the state-wide campaign is focused on raising awareness in flood-prone communities, particularly in high-risk local government areas.
Apostle Anam, represented by his Special Assistant on Operations, Elder Francis Effiom, highlighted the importance of ensuring that citizens are well-informed and prepared for potential flooding, as predicted by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), which identified Cross River as one of the states at risk in 2024.
Anam stressed that improper waste disposal contributes to flooding and poses significant health risks, which can result in severe damage to property and loss of lives.
He reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, to finding long-term, sustainable solutions to both natural and human-induced disasters.
Several stakeholders who spoke at the event commended Governor Otu for prioritizing the welfare of citizens and organizing the sensitization campaign.
They noted that many of their communities had already been affected by floods and expressed their willingness to collaborate with SEMA, pledging to spread the message and heed the early warnings aimed at reducing flood risks.
The highpoint of the event was an advocacy walk and an on-the-spot visit to flood-prone areas within Ediba Town, Abi Local Government Area.
© CrossRiverSEMA_Media
