Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu visited victims of the devastating flood that ravaged parts of the Calabar metropolis over the weekend, describing the scale of destruction and loss of lives as heartbreaking, while assuring residents of government intervention to mitigate future occurrences. The governor toured some of the worst-hit communities on Sunday, 12 July 2026, including Ikot Awatim, Ikot Ansa, Calabar South, Mbukpa, Big Qua Town, Ibom Layout and 8 Miles.
At least five persons, including four children of Mr and Mrs Kingsley Edu and a tanker driver identified as Mr Udo, reportedly died in the flood and landslide that followed a heavy downpour. Residents of Webber and other parts of Calabar South Local Government Area recounted how the flood submerged homes and destroyed valuables. One of the victims, Etim Bassey, an indigene of Nkakad Ikot Ekriba residing in Atamunu, Calabar South, said he had to carry his five-year-old son on his shoulders to prevent him from drowning. He said that since 3:00 a.m. on Thursday, water got into his house and destroyed every household item, including chairs, a flat-screen television, beds, fridge, and even his clothes. He estimated his losses at over N5 million and appealed to government agencies for assistance.
Speaking after the tour, Governor Otu said: "Today, I visited victims of the recent flood disaster in Calabar, and my heart was deeply burdened by the magnitude of the devastation and the tragic loss of lives. No words can truly compensate for the precious lives we have lost, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to every family affected by this unfortunate tragedy." Otu assured residents that the state government remained committed to taking decisive steps to reduce the risk of future disasters. "As a government, we remain committed to taking decisive and proactive measures to reduce the risk of such disasters and to strengthen our flood mitigation and emergency response systems," he said. He added that the government was already working on sustainable, long-term solutions, including improved drainage infrastructure and better environmental management, to protect communities from future flooding.
The governor urged affected residents not to lose hope, assuring them that the government would continue to provide the necessary support as efforts to rebuild lives and restore normalcy continue. "To every affected resident, please know that you are not alone. Your government stands with you and will continue to provide the necessary support as we work together to rebuild lives, restore hope, and implement responsible, long-term solutions," the governor said.
The visit followed a joint assessment of the affected areas by officials of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Ministry of Environment, the Nigerian Red Cross Society and the Federal Fire Service. The Director-General of Cross River SEMA, Mr Efa Nyong, assured residents that the government would act on the findings of the assessment. The Head of Operations at the NEMA Uyo Operations Office, Mrs Aisueni Mmandu, called for stronger collaboration among government agencies and communities to reduce the impact of floods across the state. She attributed the recurring floods to poor environmental sanitation and urged residents to stop dumping refuse into drains and waterways, warning that indiscriminate disposal of refuse, particularly plastics and other non-biodegradable materials, has continued to block drainage channels and worsen flooding across vulnerable communities.
The Commissioner for Information, Dr Erasmus Ekpang, expressed sympathy with the affected families, saying the assessment would provide first-hand information to guide both immediate relief efforts and long-term measures to tackle flooding in vulnerable communities. He also urged residents to keep drainage channels free of refuse and comply with environmental sanitation regulations, stressing that effective flood prevention requires the collective efforts of both government and citizens.
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