By Christian Njoku
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged the Cross River Government to intensify efforts toward preventing recurring fire outbreaks across the state.
NEMA made the call during the distribution of relief materials to victims of recent fire incidents in parts of Calabar and Bakassi Local Government Areas.
Director General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, said the intervention followed assessments conducted after multiple fire outbreaks recorded in the state between 2025 and 2026.
Represented by Mrs Mmandu Aisueni, Head of Operations, NEMA, Uyo Operation Office, Umar said the Federal Government approved relief items after NEMA submitted detailed reports on the extent of damage and the number of affected victims.
She said Items distributed were 300 bags of 25-kilogramme rice, 300 bags of beans, 300 bags of garri, 300 bags of cement, 50 rolls of roofing sheets, 30 bags of salt, 30 cartons of tomato paste
“Others include 30 cartons of vegetable oil, 30 cartons of seasoning cubes and 100 bags of dignity packs for women,” she said.
According to her, the increasing rate of fire incidents in the state is becoming worrisome, two major outbreaks have occurred in Calabar in the last week attributed to power surges, and a gas explosion in residential areas.
“The state government needs to enforce proper siting of gas stations and ensure safety measures are strictly adhered to,” she said.
READ ALSO: IFAD-LIFE-ND generates over N5bn gross income in 6-years in C’River — Coordinator
According to her, residents must also adopt safety practices, including switching off electrical appliances and handling fire sources with care.
On his part, Mr Antigha Gill, Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said the intervention was a joint effort between federal and state authorities.
Gill explained that thorough assessments were conducted to identify genuine victims of the last few fire incidents in the state and determine their specific needs before distribution.
He urged residents to be safety-conscious, especially during the dry season when fire risks are significantly higher.
He also called on electricity providers to replace outdated infrastructure to prevent fire outbreaks caused by faulty cables.
Some beneficiaries commended the government for the support but appealed for further assistance to rebuild their homes and livelihoods.
A victim, Mrs Eyoanwan Effiong, said fire destroyed her home, on Dec. 14, 2025, leaving her and her children displaced and in need of financial support.
Another beneficiary, Mr Ene Okon appreciated the relief materials but requested building support to restore his damaged property.
While the food items were given to tenants of buildings that were raised, landlords of the affected buildings would receive some bags of cement and roofing sheets to assist them in rebuilding.
NEMA also used the opportunity to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the timber market that was burnt down on Saturday to collate the reports on the affected stalls and owners.
