The Director General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), Mr. Efa Nyong, has reaffirmed the Agency's commitment to strengthening collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) following a courtesy visit to the NEMA Operations Office in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The visit, aimed at deepening institutional partnership, enhancing inter-agency synergy and improving disaster preparedness and response, saw the CR-SEMA delegation received by the Head of Operations, NEMA Akwa Ibom/Cross River Office, Mrs. Mmandu Aisueni.
Members of the CR-SEMA delegation included former Director General of the Agency (2019–2023), Mr. Pincewill Ayim, the Head of Relief and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Debreye Kerian, and the Disaster Management Officer of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Mr. Agbor Okim.
Speaking during the meeting, Mr. Nyong described the relationship between NEMA and CR-SEMA as critical to effective disaster management, noting that the Agency under his leadership is committed to building stronger institutional partnerships capable of delivering timely and coordinated emergency responses across Cross River State.
He said the visit formed part of ongoing efforts to engage strategic stakeholders, exchange ideas and adopt best practices that would further strengthen the operational capacity of CR-SEMA.
The Director General stated that disaster management requires collaboration rather than competition, stressing that no single agency can effectively respond to emergencies without the support of relevant stakeholders.
Mr. Nyong further assured the NEMA management that his administration is focused on repositioning CR-SEMA through improved planning, capacity development, data-driven decision making and stronger community engagement in line with the People's First Mantra of the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Otu.
Responding, Mrs. Mmandu Aisueni congratulated Mr. Nyong on his appointment and commended the renewed drive to reposition the Agency.
She encouraged CR-SEMA to establish a dedicated Planning Department as well as a functional Search and Rescue Unit to further strengthen emergency response operations within the State.
Mrs. Aisueni also emphasized the need for proper field data collection supported by accurate GPS coordinates, explaining that reliable data remains essential for disaster risk assessment, planning and intervention.
She further advocated regular stakeholders' coordination meetings, improved online visibility of the Agency's activities, periodic flood simulation exercises and continuous in-house training for staff as practical measures towards building a more resilient emergency management institution.
In his response, Mr. Nyong welcomed the recommendations, noting that the Agency had already commenced reforms in several of the identified areas.
He explained that plans were already underway to strengthen institutional structures, improve staff capacity and expand operational readiness, assuring that the recommendations would further guide the Agency's ongoing reforms.
Also speaking, the Disaster Management Officer of the Nigerian Red Cross Society Cross River State, Mr. Agbor Okim, commended the Director General for his commitment and proactive leadership since assuming office.
Mr. Okim noted that capacity-building initiatives had already commenced within the Agency and expressed confidence that additional training programmes and strategic partnerships would continue to enhance disaster preparedness and response across the State.
By David Asu
