The Cross River State government has revealed that it has created massive awareness for citizens in flood-prone areas of the state.
It said they have already moved those at risk of flooding to safer places, but it also mentioned that they do not intend to establish internally disclosed people’s camps.
In separate interviews with
The Commissioner for Environment, Moses Osogi, and the Director General of State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, James Anam, agreed that the flood situation in the state will not escalate to the point where the need for IDP camps will arise.
The commissioner for environment said that flooding in the state is not really caused by the opening of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, but rather by climate change.
“The climate change predictions have come true, and the rains have been heavy in many parts of the state.”
“Even before the announcement about the Cameroon dam, we had to undertake massive sensitization regarding the numerous predictions.” This awareness creation in different flood-prone communities has helped to avert lots of risks.
“We have successfully evacuated individuals who were at risk in various communities.” Furthermore, the people have responded positively to our efforts to raise awareness. Many have moved away from flood-prone areas by themselves.
“We’ve collected statistics on local government areas and farmers who are at risk, and the government is taking action to improve their situation.”
Osogi revealed that they have carried out extensive dewatering and cleaning of our drainage systems and gutters in urban areas and other hotspots.
“This is the reason in Calabar we have not witnessed such serious flooding as before,” he said.
Speaking, the director general of SEMA, James Anam, said, “We’ve done advocacy campaigns around the state, especially in flood-prone areas. We’ve educated our people on how to get them into standby mode for proactive measures to avoid collateral damage.
“Our jingles are already running on radio stations to appeal to our people to desist from blocking drainages or waterways in light of the looming danger. We have equally engaged towncriers to dissimilate the same message across flashpoint areas around the state.
“Village and Town Council unions, as well as critical stakeholders, are all involved in the enlightenment campaign.”
Anam added that they are also collaborating with NEMA, NIMET, and other sister agencies in the various proactive steps adopted to safeguard lives and property.
Anam further disclosed that they have set up what he called safe havens across the senatorial districts for emergency evacuation once they receive danger signs from their monitoring partners.
