The Cross River State Government, through the Ministry of Environment, has conducted a one-day flood prevention and management sensitisation exercise on safe and sustainable nutrition in Biase Local Government Area.
Speaking at the palace of the Clan Head of Okurike, the Head of Department, Food and Nutrition, Mrs. Eme Ante, highlighted the impact of flooding on food system, explaining the interconnections between flooding and nutrition sustainability.
According to her, flooding has adverse effects on food systems as it destroys farmlands, depletes soil nutrients, damages homes, and affects sources of livelihood, with resultant food insecurity. She also emphasised human-induced factors such as deforestation, indiscriminate waste disposal, and poor or blocked drainage systems as major contributors to flood events, admonishing residents to desist from such practices.
Mrs. Ante advocated the adoption of mitigation practices by rural dwellers in flood-prone areas to reduce the negative effects of flooding on food security. She stressed that food is essential to human survival and that the environment plays a critical role in sustaining life. She described flooding as a devastating phenomenon that destroys farmlands, affects humans and animals, and directly threatens food sustainability.
She further disclosed that Okurike community has been identified as a highly flood-prone area, hence the need for sustained sensitisation and awareness campaigns.
In his remarks, the Clan Head of Okurike, His Royal Highness, Onun Emmanuel Nkanu Ogbor, commended the state government for its advocacy and intervention, acknowledging that the community has suffered from incessant flooding over the years. He recommended year-round dredging of the river as a long-term solution to curb flooding in the area.
The monarch explained that the community practises both upland and riverbank farming, depending largely on the flow of the river. He assured that traditional leaders would intensify awareness on environmental sanitation, particularly proper waste disposal, noting that indiscriminate dumping of refuse often blocks drainage channels and worsens flooding.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of Biase Local Government Council and Head of the Food and Nutrition Committee, Hon. Ekuma Ngwu JP, appreciated the state government’s efforts in addressing the flood menace. He pledged the council’s support and commitment towards mitigating flooding in the area.
In separate interviews, residents of the community applauded the government for educating them on flood prevention measures. They recounted the devastating effects of flooding, including the destruction of homes and farmlands, leading to loss of livelihoods and shelter.
The Head of Department, Food and Nutrition, led the sensitisation team on a community-wide outreach, distributing flyers and engaging commuters in one-on-one sensitisation on safe environmental practices and food safety instructions such as food storage and farming system .
The exercise brought together members of the Local Government Council, representatives of the State Emergency Management Agency, including Mrs. Esu okpo, Mrs. Jane Awili from the Department of Climate Change, Ministry of Environment; the Food and Nutrition Officer, Biase LGA, Ms. Ilem Innocent; the Biase WASH representative, Mr. Sylvester Iyami; as well as traditional rulers, youths, women, and children.
Sylvia Okoi
