By Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, has expressed deep concern over the recurring flood disasters affecting the state, describing the situation as alarming and a growing ecological threat that requires urgent and coordinated intervention from all levels of government.
Governor Otu made the remarks while receiving the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, alongside the Chairman of the House Committee on Disaster Management and Emergency Preparedness, Hon. Joseph Bassey, during a courtesy visit as part of the 2026 National Flood Preparedness and Awareness Campaign.
The governor noted that flooding had remained a painful and persistent challenge for many communities across the state.
“Flooding has continued to confront our state year after year, and it is already common knowledge that Cross River remains one of the high-risk states in the country,” he said.
Governor Otu recalled that as far back as 2019, he had engaged relevant authorities on the need for proactive measures to mitigate the devastating impact of flooding, but lamented that the problem had persisted.
He further decried the abandonment and non-completion of several intervention projects initiated to address the menace, saying the situation had worsened the plight of affected communities.
According to him, investigations had earlier revealed plans for drainage systems and flood channels designed to effectively manage the movement and release of excess water, but the projects were never fully executed.
“There was supposed to be a dam system and proper drainage channels that would collect and redirect water whenever releases occurred, but somehow those projects were not completed.
“The consequence is that communities directly along these flood corridors continue to suffer repeated destruction of homes, farmlands and livelihoods,” he said.
The governor warned that beyond the immediate destruction caused by flooding, the recurring disasters now posed broader environmental dangers capable of destabilizing the ecosystem if decisive action was not taken.
“What we are witnessing is no longer just seasonal flooding; it is gradually becoming an ecological problem with far-reaching implications for our environment and the survival of vulnerable communities,” he added.
Governor Otu called on the Federal Government and relevant intervention agencies to expedite action on critical flood control infrastructure across the state, stressing that proper drainage systems and ecological remediation projects would significantly reduce the impact of flooding on residents.
Responding, the Director-General of NEMA said the agency’s visit was part of nationwide activities under the 2026 National Flood Preparedness and Awareness Campaign following emergency flood predictions issued for several states across the country.
She disclosed that Cross River State had been identified among the states at high risk of severe flooding this year.
According to her, vulnerable local government areas in the state include Abi, Akamkpa, Calabar Municipality, Calabar South, Etung, Ikom, Odukpani, Obubra and Obanliku.
“The purpose of our visit is to work closely with the state government and relevant stakeholders so that together we can reduce the impact of possible flooding on lives and livelihoods.
“While we may not be able to stop the floods entirely, preparedness and coordination can greatly minimise the damage,” she said.
The NEMA Director-General further explained that the agency had already engaged traditional rulers, religious leaders, road safety officials and community representatives to deepen public awareness and strengthen grassroots disaster preparedness.
She added that mitigation and preparedness documents had been presented to the state government, while technical teams were being deployed across vulnerable communities for assessments and early response coordination.
Mrs. Umar emphasized the importance of community-based disaster management structures, noting that effective emergency response must begin from the grassroots before escalating to state and federal authorities.
She commended the Cross River State Government for its longstanding cooperation with the agency and called for sustained partnership to ensure safer and more coordinated responses throughout the flood season.
