As the 2026 rainy season approaches, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has cautioned residents of Cross River State against indiscriminate waste disposal and blocking drainage channels, warning that the practices increase the risk of flooding.
The agency said blocked drainage channels and indiscriminate waste disposal have continued to contribute to flooding in many communities, urging residents to adopt proper sanitation practices to minimise the risk of flood-related disasters during the rainy season.
The warning was issued yesterday at the commencement of a three-day Flood Preparedness and Simulation Exercise in Calabar organised by NEMA in collaboration with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Search and Rescue, NEMA Headquarters, Air Commodore Abubakar Usman, who represented the Director-General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, said Cross River was among the states identified by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency as being at high risk of flooding this year.
He said the simulation exercise was designed to assess the readiness of emergency responders and sensitise residents and stakeholders on their responsibilities before, during and after flood incidents.
“This exercise in Cross River State is to test our preparedness in case there are flooding activities in Cross River State, and also to sensitise residents and stakeholders on their roles when such incidents happen,” Usman said.
He attributed flooding to both natural and human-induced factors, stressing the need for sustained public enlightenment to reduce preventable disasters.
“We keep bringing that awareness to everybody to know what he’s supposed to do should there be flood, and what not to do that could cause that flooding. From our own end, we will continue to synergise with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency and other stakeholders to ensure that we conduct this exercise successfully,” he added.
Usman urged residents to take responsibility by properly disposing of waste, keeping drainage channels free from obstruction and complying with early warning advisories issued by relevant authorities.
The Director-General of CR-SEMA, Efa Nyong, said the state government had continued to provide relief materials to flood victims on the directive of Governor Bassey Otu.
He disclosed that the agency would soon begin a statewide flood awareness campaign across the 18 local government areas to improve community preparedness.
Nyong also revealed that, in partnership with the Nigerian Red Cross Society, 57 households displaced by flooding were currently being accommodated in a safe haven, while three additional households were expected to join the facility.
“Our governor is the people’s first, and anybody working under him should be able to follow suit. So, Cross River State SEMA is equally the people’s first agency. There is hope for Cross Riverians,” he said.
Also speaking, the Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority in Cross River, Abubakar Wathanafa, said the agency had intensified collaboration with NEMA and CR-SEMA to strengthen flood preparedness and emergency response.
He said NIWA had deployed River Safety Marshals to strategic waterfronts, stationed boats and water ambulances for emergency evacuations and continued desilting waterways to ensure the free flow of water.
“NIWA has created what we call the River Safety Marshals. In each state, we have about 10 of them stationed at particular locations or beaches, so that in case of emergencies, these are the grassroots marshals that will inform the agencies,” Wathanafa said.