The Federal Government has strengthened emergency response and disaster relief efforts in Cross River State with the donation of a fire truck and a consignment of humanitarian relief materials through the South-South Development Commission (SSDC).
The items were formally handed over in Calabar to the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dr. Peter Odey, who represented Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu at the presentation ceremony, as part of efforts to improve the state’s capacity to respond to emergencies and support residents affected by disasters.
Speaking at the event, Odey appreciated the Federal Government and the SSDC for the intervention, describing it as the fulfilment of the Commission’s commitment to supporting Cross River following recent disaster incidents, particularly fire outbreaks in Calabar and major flooding in parts of the state.
He said the fire truck would improve emergency response time and provide additional support to firefighters and other emergency personnel in protecting lives and property. He added, “The fire truck will strengthen our emergency response capacity and improve our ability to protect lives and property during fire outbreaks and other emergencies.”
The Deputy Governor also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the SSDC, describing its intervention as evidence of attention to the developmental and humanitarian needs of the South-South region. He urged residents to cooperate with emergency personnel during rescue and firefighting operations and avoid actions that could obstruct their duties.
In his remarks, the Director-General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), Mr. Efa Nyong, thanked the SSDC for responding to the state’s request for assistance and fulfilling its commitment to supporting disaster management efforts.
Nyong explained that CR-SEMA had conducted on-the-spot assessments of communities and households affected by fire outbreaks and flooding, identifying those requiring assistance and forwarding the findings to the Commission. He said the intervention would strengthen the agency’s operations and provide relief to residents whose livelihoods had been affected.
He also commended Governor Otu for his support for disaster management and emergency response in the state, expressing confidence that the growing partnership between Cross River and the SSDC would further improve the state’s capacity to manage emergencies.
Speaking on behalf of the SSDC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, the Executive Director, Human Capital Development and Social Services, Engr. Preye Aganaba, said the intervention reflected the Commission’s commitment to addressing humanitarian and environmental challenges across the South-South region.
Aganaba explained that Cross River was selected as the starting point for the intervention because of the environmental challenges confronting the state, adding that similar initiatives would be extended to Akwa Ibom and other states in the region.
Also speaking, the SSDC Executive Director, Commercial and Environmental Development, Hon. Joseph Ogheoke, said the exercise formed part of the Commission’s commitment to regional development and improving the welfare of people across the South-South.
A beneficiary of the relief materials, Mr. Peter Ekpenyong, expressed gratitude to the SSDC and the Cross River State Government for the timely assistance, describing it as a welcome relief to households affected by disasters. He commended the Otu administration, describing the exercise as the largest distribution of relief materials witnessed in the state.
By David Asu
