The Federal Government has pledged to coordinate a regional response to the devastating erosion and flooding affecting Cross River State and other parts of the South-South, promising immediate humanitarian support and long-term measures to reduce the impact of future disasters.
The commitment was made on Tuesday by the Managing Director of the South-South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, during an assessment visit to erosion-ravaged communities and an Internally Displaced Persons camp in Cross River State.
Leading a delegation of SSDC executive directors and the state’s representative on the commission’s board, Akpabio said the visit demonstrated the Federal Government’s resolve to support communities affected by natural disasters.
She said the commission would prioritise humanitarian interventions and disaster response, despite still being in the process of establishing its operational structures.
According to Akpabio, the flooding and erosion witnessed in Cross River are part of a wider environmental challenge confronting several South-South states, making a coordinated regional response necessary.
She disclosed that the commission would carry out similar assessment visits across other affected states to develop comprehensive intervention strategies rather than isolated responses.
The SSDC boss attributed the increasing frequency of flooding and erosion to the effects of climate change, urging state governments to strengthen environmental policies, improve urban planning and invest in climate-resilient infrastructure.
Akpabio also commended Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other emergency responders for their efforts in providing relief to affected residents.
She assured victims that the commission would continue working with the state government and relevant stakeholders to support recovery efforts and build more resilient communities.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Efa Nyong, said the state government had intensified emergency response efforts by providing relief materials, temporary shelter and continuous support for displaced families while assessing the extent of the damage.
Nyong described the Federal Government’s assessment visit as timely, saying it had reassured affected communities that they had not been abandoned.
He stressed the need for sustained investment in erosion control, flood mitigation infrastructure and climate adaptation measures, noting that stronger collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments and development partners would help build safer and more resilient communities.
Cross River Emergency Management Agency added that the agency would continue monitoring affected areas and coordinating with relevant stakeholders to ensure vulnerable residents receive the necessary assistance as recovery efforts progress.