By: Our Reporter, Calabar
The Cross River State Government has received a fire truck and humanitarian relief materials from the South-South Development Commission as part of efforts to strengthen emergency response and provide support to residents affected by fire outbreaks, flooding and other environmental disasters in the state.
The Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dr. Peter Odey, who represented Governor Bassey Edet Otu at the presentation in Calabar, expressed appreciation to the Commission for fulfilling its promise to support the state following recent disaster incidents, particularly the fire outbreaks recorded in Calabar and Odukpani.
.
Dr Odey who praised the foresight of the President for setting up the South-South Development Commission, said the provision of the fire truck would help improve emergency response time, while the distribution of relief materials had commenced for residents affected by flooding. He said although there were other agencies with similar duties, the SSDC had distinguished itself in her trailblazing response to the needs of the people.
The Deputy Governor also appealed to residents to cooperate with firefighters and other emergency responders, warning against actions that could obstruct their operations.
He decried a situation where emergency workers are attacked by victims of disasters, stressing that emergency personnel were on the ground to save lives and protect property hence the need for members of the public to support them whenever their services wherewere required
Speaking on behalf of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the South-South Development Commission, Ms. Usoro Ababio, the Executive Director in charge of Human Capital Development & Social Services, Engr. Aganaba Preye Steven, said the intervention demonstrated the Commission’s commitment to addressing the humanitarian and environmental challenges confronting communities across the South-South region.
He noted that Cross River, despite its importance as an economic and agricultural hub, continued to experience flooding, erosion and other environmental challenges, which had affected livelihoods, businesses and food security
.
Engr. Steven explained that the Commission chose to commence the intervention in Cross River because of the state’s experience with environmental challenges, adding that similar initiatives would be extended to Akwa Ibom and other states across the South-South region.
He further disclosed that the Commission would continue to support disaster resilience, environmental protection, sustainable infrastructure and livelihood recovery in the region
Also speaking while presenting the fire truck to the Deputy Governor, the Executive Director of Commercial and Environmental Development at the South-South Development Commission, Hon. Joseph Igbeyuju, commended the Commission’s leadership for prioritising Cross River State as the starting point of its intervention
.
He said the initiative would be replicated across the South-South, noting that the Commission’s intervention was part of a broader commitment to regional development.
Hon. Igbeyuju also expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, citing ongoing infrastructure projects and economic policy measures as reasons Nigerians should give the President another opportunity.
He equally called for continued support for Governor Bassey Edet Otu, expressing confidence that both levels of government would work together to deliver improved governance and development.
In his response, the Director-General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Mr Efa Nyong, while appreciating the Commission, said the intervention demonstrated that the agency’s appeal for assistance had been heard and that the Commission had fulfilled its promise.
He explained that beneficiaries were identified through on-the-spot assessments conducted by the agency following reported fire and flood disasters, after which the information was forwarded to the Commission for appropriate intervention.
The Director-General of Cross River State Emergency Management Agency also expressed confidence in the growing partnership with the Commission, noting that Cross River State had received assurances of continued support. He commended Governor Bassey Otu, describing his support for emergency management and disaster response in the state as overwhelming.
Some beneficiaries of the relief materials also expressed appreciation to the South-South Development Commission and the Cross River State Government, describing the intervention as timely and a welcome relief to households affected by the disasters.
The Deputy Governor was accompanied on the visit by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Ow
