By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has announced plans to assess more flood-affected communities in Cross River State’s Central Senatorial District to determine the extent of damage and identify appropriate intervention measures.
The assessment, which follows the completion of a similar exercise in the Southern Senatorial District, will cover Abi, Etung, Ikom and Obubra Local Government Areas.
Assistant Director of Operations, NEMA Abuja/Uyo Operations Office, Mr. Labaran Ahman, disclosed this on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Dr. Peter Odey, in Calabar.
Ahman said NEMA, in collaboration with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA) and other stakeholders, will next week stage a flood disaster response simulation exercise at Marina Beach in Calabar South.
According to him, the exercise is aimed at testing the operational readiness of emergency responders, strengthening inter-agency coordination and enhancing community preparedness ahead of the peak of the 2026 flood season.
He said the visit was to brief the state government on NEMA’s ongoing and forthcoming activities, seek continued support, and deepen collaboration in disaster risk reduction, preparedness and emergency response.
Ahman also announced that Cross River State will host the South-South Zonal Workshop on the Review of the National Policy on Relief and Rehabilitation next week.
He explained that the workshop would bring together emergency management stakeholders from across the region to review existing policies, share best practices and strengthen Nigeria’s disaster management framework.
Responding, Deputy Governor Peter Odey reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting NEMA in advancing disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness and effective response.
Odey commended the agency for its proactive interventions and sustained collaboration with CR-SEMA, describing disaster preparedness as critical to safeguarding lives and property. He noted that the Governor Bassey Otu-led administration remains committed to building resilient communities through strategic partnerships.
He assured the NEMA delegation of the state’s full support for the successful implementation of its programmes and thanked the agency for selecting Cross River to host key emergency management activities, saying the initiatives would further strengthen the capacity of emergency responders and improve flood preparedness across the state.
The NEMA delegation included Assistant Chief Accountant, NEMA Uyo Operations Office, Mr. Awoji Augustine, and the Director-General of CR-SEMA, Mr. Efa Nyong.
