The Nigerian Red Cross Society, in collaboration with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), has intensified its flood preparedness campaign in Biase Local Government Area, urging residents to heed early warnings and take proactive measures to minimise the impact of possible flooding.
The sensitisation programme, held at the Biase Local Government Council, brought together officials of the Local Government, security stakeholders, traditional institutions, community representatives, the Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC), education stakeholders and humanitarian responders.
Welcoming participants, the Vice Chairman of Biase Local Government Area, Hon. Ekuma Ngwu, who represented the Executive Chairman, Hon. Edodi Eyong, expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Red Cross Society and CR-SEMA for selecting Biase as one of the priority areas for the intervention.
Ngwu disclosed that several communities in the Local Government Area had experienced displacement, with some residents facing difficulties accessing their communities due to flooding. He assured the visiting agencies of the Local Government’s full cooperation, while commending the Director-General of CR-SEMA, Mr. Efa Nyong, for what he described as an inclusive approach to disaster management.
He also commended Nigerian Red Cross volunteers for their dedication to supporting vulnerable communities during emergencies despite operating largely on a voluntary basis.
The Vice Chairman further assured residents of Agwagune and other affected communities that the State Government had been briefed on their challenges and remained committed to supporting persons affected by flooding.
The Vice Chairman expressed confidence in the capacity of CR-SEMA and the Nigerian Red Cross Society to support Biase communities, assuring residents that the Local Government remained committed to working with the agencies.
He urged residents to promptly report emerging disaster threats to the Local Emergency Management Committee, describing the LEMC as the first point of response at the community level before additional support arrives.
Speaking during the programme, the Paramount Ruler of Biase Local Government Area, Onun Apostle Nicholas Odum, welcomed the delegation and called for stronger collaboration among communities, government agencies and humanitarian organisations in tackling flood-related challenges.
The Legal Adviser to Biase Local Government, Barrister Okoi James, called for greater emphasis on disaster preparedness, noting that many farmers in rural communities have limited capacity to predict or adequately prepare for flooding.
He urged relevant agencies to strengthen early warning systems and provide practical information that would enable residents to take preventive action before disasters occur, rather than waiting until flooding has caused significant damage.
Community members also called for wider sensitisation across Biase, including the use of flood-awareness jingles in local languages and the expansion of temporary shelters to accommodate residents who may be displaced.
Responding, the Director-General of CR-SEMA, Mr. Efa Nyong, assured residents that the Agency’s flood sensitisation campaign would be extended across all 18 Local Government Areas of Cross River State.
Nyong said CR-SEMA was deploying jingles, billboards, social media, radio and other communication channels, including traditional town criers, to ensure that flood preparedness messages reach communities at the grassroots.
He stressed that the era of government responding slowly or remaining distant from affected communities was over, assuring residents that the State Government was committed to providing timely intervention whenever emergencies occur.
The CR-SEMA Director-General said his presence in Biase demonstrated Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s commitment to ensuring that vulnerable communities receive the attention and support required during emergencies.
The Branch Secretary of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Calabar, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting government as its auxiliary partner in humanitarian response. He commended the State Government and CR-SEMA for their continued presence in affected communities and urged residents to pay attention to local early warning signs that could indicate impending danger.
Speaking from the education sector, the Secretary of the Biase Local Government Area Education Authority, Bishop Victor Ekpei, called for flood sensitisation programmes to be introduced in schools before the peak of the rainy season. He said principals, teachers and other education stakeholders were ready to support the campaign and educate pupils on appropriate safety measures.
By David Asu
