The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA) and Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) in Biase, has assessed flood-ravaged communities in Biase Local Government Area following widespread flooding that displaced residents, submerged farmlands and disrupted livelihoods.
The assessment team, which comprised officials from NEMA’s Uyo Operations Office, CR-SEMA and LEMC, commenced the exercise at Ikot Okpora, where floodwaters had submerged large portions of the community, including residential buildings, market areas and other vital locations.
The team relied on canoes to access some affected areas, as floodwaters had rendered several sections of the community inaccessible by road.
Speaking during the assessment, the Youth Leader of Ikot Okpora commended the Federal and State Governments for responding swiftly to the community’s concerns through the assessment visit.
He appealed for urgent relief assistance, particularly non-food items, to support residents in rebuilding their homes and restoring normalcy when the floodwaters receded.
The team subsequently visited Agwagune, where extensive flooding had submerged farmlands and plantations, including palm tree plantations, raising concerns over agricultural losses and the impact on the livelihoods of farming households.
Further assessments were conducted at Erei South and Ibini, where communities were also experiencing significant flooding and related challenges.
Speaking during the exercise, the CR-SEMA Director General, Mr. Efa Nyong, represented by the Vice Chairman of Biase Local Government Area, Hon. Ekuma Ngwu, emphasised the importance of on-the-spot assessments in determining the extent of flood damage and identifying the immediate needs of affected residents.
He stressed the need for sustained collaboration among NEMA, CR-SEMA, LEMCs and other relevant stakeholders to ensure proper documentation of the situation and facilitate appropriate interventions for the affected communities.
Also speaking, the Acting Head of Operations, NEMA, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, Mr. Austin Awoji, said the assessment would provide firsthand information on the extent of the flooding, damage to property and disruption of livelihoods to guide further action by the agency.
He further urged residents of riverine communities to take flood early warnings seriously and relocate to higher ground before floodwaters rise to dangerous levels, stressing that early evacuation remained essential to protecting lives and reducing the impact of flooding.
By David Asu
