By Akpan Udo-Inyang
CALABAR -The Federal Government has promised to coordinate regional response and humanitarian support and long-term measures to mitigate future disasters of erosion and flooding affecting parts of the South-South region.
The Managing Director of the South South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, made the promise on Tuesday, during an assessment visit to erosion-ravaged communities and an Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) camp in Cross River State.
Akpabio, who led a delegation comprising executive directors and the state’s representative on the commission’s board, said the visit underscored the federal government’s commitment to standing with affected communities during humanitarian emergencies.
“When lives are at risk, leadership must be present. We had to cut short all official engagements because this is about people, families and communities whose lives have been disrupted. Nothing is more important to us than responding to a humanitarian emergency,” she said.
Expressing sympathy to victims, the SSDC boss noted that beyond damaged infrastructure, many families had lost loved ones, livelihoods and their sense of security.
“On behalf of the South South Development Commission, I extend our heartfelt sympathies to every affected family and community. We stand with you during this difficult time,” she added.
Akpabio disclosed that although the commission was still putting its institutional structures in place, it would prioritise disaster response and humanitarian interventions across the region.
She said the flooding and erosion witnessed in Cross River were not isolated incidents, noting that several South-South states were grappling with similar challenges.
The SSDC Managing Director attributed the increasing disasters to the effects of climate change and called for stronger environmental advocacy, improved urban planning and investment in climate-resilient infrastructure.
She urged state governments in the region to review their environmental policies, strengthen urban planning and invest in infrastructure capable of withstanding changing weather patterns and rapid urban expansion.
While praising the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other first responders for their commitment to supporting affected residents, Akpabio added that ,”The South South Development Commission will work closely with the Cross River State government and relevant stakeholders across the region to support humanitarian relief efforts.”
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 to displaced families while conducting detailed assessments of affected communities.
Nyong, commended the federal government and the Commission for the assessment visit, describing it as a timely intervention that would strengthen ongoing humanitarian efforts in the state.