By,: Our Reporter, Calabar
Over ten thousand persons have been severely affected in a recent devastating windstorm that ravaged about 11 communities in Akamkpa local government area of Cross River State.
The storm which took the people by surprise at about 1 a.m. lasting for several hours left behind in its trails that roofed residential houses, public buildings, business centres, clinics including critical infrastructures such as electrical installations.
“Trees were either pulled down or shattered from their branches falling down on houses most of which crumbled under their weights”.
The unprecedented storm which was at a very high speed did not spare anything standing on its way as different kinds of trees expected to act as windbreakers became toys as they were uprooted and tossed about and eventually landing either on houses or major highways obstructing traffic
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The scenario became even more pathetic as over 30 persons injured could not be evacuated for immediate treatment as fallen trees across major roads inhibited traffic flow.
In the midst of the commotion many were carried either on wheelbarrows or locally constructed stretchers to medical centres several kilometers away for emergency attention.
As a result of the catastrophe more than half of the affected persons are displaced and are currently squatting with relatives or in parts of the surviving structures further heightening the rate of vulnerability as there are exposed to the already unfriendly weather element.
A father of 4 children , ages between 2 and 9 years old , Mr Edet Oben who had his entire roof of a one room apartment completely removed and the corrugated sheets destroyed mourned with grief uncontrollably when approached by our correspondent for comments on the incident.
The family is leaving in very sorry states with some of the children suffering from cold related diseases as a result of exposure to the inclement weather conditions.
Most homes harbouring the displaced visited were in poor situations as facilities such as convenient, beddings and accommodation were overstretched while supplies such as food and toiletries were grossly in short supply.
Students of boarding schools such as the Immaculate Conception Junior Seminary, Mfamosing who had their dormitory as well as other critical infrastructure destroyed are equally passing through trying times.
Rev Fr Joseph Eyo of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish, Mfamosing who had the church building, school and residential quarters destroyed by the storm said that the church was helpless and needs urgent assistance.
Carrying out a rapid assessment of the disaster, the Director General, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, (SEMA) Mr Antigha Gill described the disaster as devastating requiring urgent attention.
Antigha who was in the company of the House of Assembly Member for Akamkpa 2 State constituency , Hon. Linus Etim sympathized with the victims and promised that concerted efforts would be made to draw the attention of the State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu to address the ugly situation .
The DG said that meanwhile,relevant departments of his agency have been activated to urgently document the incident for proper and comprehensive management and called for cooperation with the team.
The House of Assembly Member for Akamkpa two States Constituency, Hon. Linus Etim said that the situation at hand required urgent attention stressing that delays could aggravate it into health, psychological , economic and other social concerns .
The Akamkpa Local Government Chairman, Ntufam Felix Akposi lamented that the magnitude and severity of the disaster was overwhelming and far beyond the capacity of the Council to handle and urged the state government, the National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA) and other philanthropic groups and individuals to come to the aid of the victims.
The Councillor for Ojuk North and leader of the Local Government Legislature, Princess Magdalene Ekpe and her counterpart of Ojuk South ward, Hon .Vincent Ndifon described the incident as most devastating in the two Wards and requested peculiar attention to the most vulnerable, women and children whom they emphasized were in very precarious states of health and sanitary needs.
They pointed out that a large population of the victims were incapable of retuning to normalcy on account of their financial status unless they were relieved urgently.
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