The Federal Government has taken concrete steps to support Cross River State’s response to recent flood and landslide disasters, deploying the South South Development Commission (SSDC) to conduct a comprehensive assessment of affected communities as part of efforts to coordinate humanitarian interventions and develop long-term environmental resilience strategies across the South-South region.
The assessment, carried out on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, was led by the Managing Director of the SSDC, Miss Usoro Offiong Akpabio, in collaboration with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society.
The delegation visited major disaster sites and temporary shelters across Calabar to evaluate the extent of damage, interact with affected residents and gather firsthand information that will guide immediate relief efforts and long-term recovery programmes.
The team first inspected the landslide site at Anansa Street, where severe soil erosion continues to threaten homes and public infrastructure, before proceeding to Big Qua, where flooding destroyed fences and damaged several residential properties. The assessment also covered Elijah Henshaw and Atu Street, where blocked drainage channels, damaged waterways and other environmental challenges have contributed to recurring flooding within the metropolis.
The delegation later visited temporary shelters at the Nigerian Red Cross Society and CR-SEMA, where members met with internally displaced persons (IDPs), humanitarian workers and volunteers providing relief services. The exercise concluded with an inspection of the CR-SEMA Central Warehouse, where emergency relief materials are stored and coordinated for disaster response operations.
Speaking during the tour, Miss Akpabio said the Federal Government considered it imperative to identify with the people of Cross River in the wake of the recent disasters, stressing that leadership must always be present when lives and livelihoods are under threat.
She explained that the Commission deliberately adjusted its official itinerary to visit the affected communities, noting that the disaster was not only about damaged infrastructure but also about families who had lost loved ones, homes and means of livelihood.
Although the SSDC is still in its formative stage, she said humanitarian emergencies require immediate attention, assuring that disaster response, climate adaptation and environmental resilience would remain key priorities of the Commission.
Akpabio noted that flooding, coastal erosion and displacement have become recurring challenges across the South-South and disclosed that similar assessments would be conducted in other states to enable the Commission develop a coordinated regional response rather than isolated interventions.
She emphasized that climate change is now a reality demanding urgent action through improved urban planning, resilient infrastructure, environmental awareness and responsible sanitation practices.
Calling for greater public participation, the SSDC Managing Director urged residents to desist from dumping refuse into drainage channels, saying many flood incidents can be prevented through responsible environmental behaviour.
She commended Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu for his swift response to the disasters and applauded CR-SEMA, NEMA, the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other emergency responders for their commitment to supporting affected communities.
Addressing displaced persons at the Red Cross temporary shelter, Akpabio assured victims that they had not been forgotten, pledging that the Federal Government, through the SSDC, would continue to work closely with the Cross River State Government and relevant partners to provide humanitarian assistance, support environmental assessments and implement sustainable recovery programmes across the region.
Also speaking, the representative of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said the Agency responded after receiving reports from CR-SEMA on the scale of destruction caused by the disasters.
He assured affected residents that the findings of the assessment would be presented to the Director General of NEMA for necessary intervention while commending the Cross River State Government for its prompt response and continued support for displaced persons.
On his part, the Director General of CR-SEMA, Mr. Efa Nyong, described the visit as a strong demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare of Cross River people, expressing confidence that the assessment would pave the way for additional humanitarian support and lasting interventions.
He noted that while the State Government has continued to respond within available resources, the deployment of the SSDC to assess affected communities reinforces confidence that the Federal Government is determined to provide sustainable solutions to the recurring disasters.
Nyong also announced that CR-SEMA would soon commence a statewide flood awareness and public sensitization campaign across the 18 local government areas to educate residents on proper waste disposal, the dangers of dumping refuse into drainage channels and other preventive measures aimed at reducing human-induced flooding.
He urged residents to embrace environmental sanitation as a daily civic responsibility, stressing that while natural disasters cannot always be prevented, their impact can be significantly reduced through responsible environmental practices.
By David Asu
