‘Mudslide renders 167 homeless, rain displaces 180 in C’River’

Map of Cross River State.

The Director-General of Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Efa Nyong, has confirmed that no fewer than 347 persons have been displaced after mudslides and floods ravaged communities, leaving a trail of destruction.

Nyong stated this in Calabar, the state capital, adding that 167 persons were rendered homeless by a mudslide in Calabar, while about 180 others became internally displaced persons (IDPs) following heavy rainfall in the Central Senatorial District.

He said the victims were currently being sheltered at various locations across Calabar and parts of the Central Senatorial District.

He said, “About 347 persons have been displaced after mudslides and floods ravaged various communities in the state. From our assessment, 167 persons were rendered homeless by a mudslide in Calabar while 180 others were displaced in the Central Senatorial District.”

The SEMA boss, who assumed office on July 14, attributed the disasters to both natural and man-made factors.

“Basically, two things are happening. They are happening out of natural occurrence and, secondly, out of human activity. That is all that is happening currently in the state as regards disasters,” he said.

Nyong said he had visited communities in the Southern and Central Senatorial Districts to sensitise residents on disaster prevention, adding that the campaign would be extended to the Northern Senatorial District before a state-wide advocacy drive using billboards, radio jingles and town criers.

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He singled out indiscriminate refuse dumping as a major driver of flooding, warning that its impact could be felt far from the point of disposal.

“When people throw waste indiscriminately, it may not show its impact immediately where it is dumped. Its impact could be a couple of kilometres away from where the activity was carried out,” he explained.

On fire outbreaks, the DG urged residents to switch off unused appliances, replace faulty cables and bulbs promptly, and upgrade wiring where necessary.

Describing the agency’s response structure, Nyong said the Local Emergency Management Committee, coordinated by each local government’s vice-chairman, serves as the first responder, stressing that cases beyond its capacity are escalated to SEMA, then to NEMA, and where necessary, to international partners.

He identified the Nigerian Red Cross Society as a key partner in providing shelter for displaced persons.

He added that relief materials and financial assistance had been received from both government and private donors as the agency works to stabilise and resettle victims.