Residents of flood-ravaged communities in Cross River State have appealed to both the Federal Government and the Cross River State Government for urgent assistance following a weekend downpour that destroyed homes, farmlands and business premises.
The Punch reported that while speaking in separate interviews with PUNCH Online on Sunday in Calabar, the victims described the flooding as one of the most devastating in recent years, saying it washed away property, ruined food supplies and disrupted their livelihoods.
In Webber and other parts of Calabar South Local Government Area, residents recounted how rising floodwaters submerged houses and damaged valuable possessions.
One of the victims, Etim Bassey, an indigene of Nkakad Ikot Ekriba living in Atamunu, Calabar South, said he was forced to carry his five-year-old son on his shoulders to keep him from drowning.
He said, “Since 3:00 am on Thursday, water got into my house and destroyed every household item. Chairs, a flat-screen television, beds, fridge, and even my clothes were destroyed.
“The water got to my neck, and I carried my five-year-old child on my neck. If the water got to my neck, you can imagine what would have happened to a five-year-old child.”
Bassey explained that the persistent rainfall overwhelmed drainage systems across Calabar, forcing many families out of their homes.
He estimated his losses at more than N5 million and appealed to relevant government agencies to provide immediate relief.
“The properties damaged and destroyed by the flood are worth more than N5 million. I want to appeal to the state government and all other federal emergency agencies to come and help us out of this kind of situation,” he said.
Another resident, Oscar Daniel of Big Qua community, said the flood destroyed household appliances and affected more than 30 families in the area.
“All our appliances are damaged, and over 30 families were affected within this vicinity alone. We need government intervention, especially in the construction of underground drainage and the covering of the entire stretch of the Calabar channel to check the overflow of floodwaters.
“The water level has risen significantly, and if measures are not taken immediately, this is what we will be experiencing often, and more damage will occur,” he said.
Henry Okon, another victim, urged the government to ensure regular maintenance of the Calabar channel and construct additional drainage systems across the metropolis to accommodate the growing volume of floodwater.
Other affected residents also appealed for relocation support and called on government officials to visit the affected communities to assess the scale of the destruction.
“Our government should be intentional about the lives of the people. If the existing water channels are not functioning, our government should intervene, and new ones should be constructed to help the situation in Calabar,” one of the victims said.
Meanwhile, the Head of Operations at the National Emergency Management Agency, Uyo Operations Office, Aisueni Mmandu, who visited flood-hit communities in Calabar on Friday, stressed the need for stronger collaboration between government agencies and residents to reduce the impact of flooding across the state.
She blamed the recurring floods on poor environmental sanitation, warning residents against dumping refuse into drains and waterways.
“The indiscriminate disposal of refuse, particularly plastics and other non-biodegradable materials, has continued to block drainage channels and worsen flooding across vulnerable communities,” she said.
Mmandu added that the agency would step up public awareness campaigns on flood prevention and disaster preparedness across Cross River State’s 18 local government areas.
“You must know that you are your environment. For the affected communities, you must adopt responsible environmental practices to reduce recurring flooding and prevent avoidable loss of lives and property,” she warned.
