The Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Prof. Francisca Bassey, has intensified efforts to secure urgent relief and rehabilitation support for staff members whose homes and properties were devastated by recent flooding at the University’s Calabar Campus.
In an urgent appeal to the Managing Director of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), Uyo, dated August 12, 2026, Bassey disclosed that 24 staff families had been displaced by the flooding and left without temporary shelter and essential household items. She described the situation as “a grave humanitarian crisis,” stressing the urgent need for intervention.
The Vice Chancellor said the flooding washed away household belongings of affected staff, leaving families in dire circumstances. She appealed for emergency relief materials, including mattresses, bedding, electrical appliances, televisions, refrigerators, kitchen equipment, gas cookers and cylinders, as well as financial assistance to provide temporary accommodation and replace essential personal effects lost to the disaster.
“The affected families are in dire need of immediate assistance, having lost their household belongings and personal effects to the flood,” Bassey said, urging the SSDC to intervene to alleviate the hardship being experienced by the displaced families.
She also sought support for the rehabilitation of affected staff residences and offices, where important documents, furniture, computers, phones, photocopiers, printers and other equipment were destroyed. According to her, a preliminary assessment indicated that “the overall value of the damage runs into several billions of naira,” with further technical evaluation expected to determine the comprehensive rehabilitation and replacement costs.
Bassey attached photographic and video evidence of the destruction to her appeal and offered to provide further documentation or receive a delegation from the SSDC for an on-the-spot assessment. She also appealed for intervention to repair damaged sections of the University’s perimeter fence, warning that the destruction had heightened security concerns within the affected areas.
While efforts to secure external intervention continue, the University Management has taken immediate steps to mitigate the risk of further flooding, with the desilting of affected drainage channels recently completed. The exercise is expected to facilitate the free flow of water and help prevent a recurrence of flooding in the affected areas.
Demonstrating concern over the plight of the affected University community, the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, recently deployed a swamp buggy to the University. The intervention underscores the Governor’s concern for affected staff and his commitment to supporting efforts to mitigate the impact of the flooding.
The latest appeal forms part of Bassey’s sustained efforts to address the recurring flooding and its impact on the University community. As far back as last year, she had written to the Ministry of Environment, drawing attention to the flooding challenges at the Staff Quarters and seeking intervention to address the underlying problem.
Following the latest flooding incident, the Vice Chancellor also engaged the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), seeking assistance for affected staff and further intervention to address the situation. She has continued to follow up with relevant authorities and stakeholders, expressing hope that the engagements will produce the desired intervention.
“Management remains committed to supporting the affected staff and continuously mobilising relevant stakeholders to provide relief and facilitate the rehabilitation of the flood-damaged facilities,” the Vice Chancellor said, reiterating her administration’s commitment to the welfare of the University community.
By Kingsley Agim
