NEMA Conducts On-The-Spot Assessment Of Landslide/Erosion Disaster In Calabar Municipal LGA

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The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CRSEMA) and other critical stakeholders, has conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the landslide and erosion disaster at Diamond Hill Old Road in Calabar Municipal Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The assessment team was led by the Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore B. A. Usman, and comprised the Director General of CRSEMA, Brig. Gen. Julius Ogbobe (Rtd.), Director of ICT, Mr Justin Uwazuruonye, South-South Zonal Director, Mr Eric Ebhodaghe, and officials of the NEMA Uyo Operations Office.

The team inspected the affected area to determine the extent of the damage and identify the immediate humanitarian needs of the affected population.

Speaking during the assessment, the Liaison Officer of the company located at the disaster site, Mr Inyang Inyang, explained that the incident resulted from the collapse of an underground drainage system that channels stormwater from the city to the sea.

According to him, the failure of the drainage infrastructure triggered severe erosion that damaged the road, disrupted access to neighbouring communities, and posed a threat to nearby residential and commercial properties.

The disaster also adversely affected livelihoods, particularly those of residents and business owners within the area.

The assessment team conveyed the sympathies of the Federal Government and the Director General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, to the affected residents and reassured the community of the Federal Government’s commitment, through NEMA and in collaboration with CRSEMA and other stakeholders, to providing the necessary humanitarian support to mitigate the impact of the disaster. Community leaders and other stakeholders commended NEMA and its partner agencies for their prompt response and timely assessment of the incident.