By Frank Ulom
The Cross River State Representative on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, PhD, has called for a more proactive and coordinated approach to disaster management in Cross River State following the devastating flooding along Anansa Road and other parts of the state.
Duke, while expressing deep sympathy to residents, and organisations whose homes, businesses and properties have been affected by the disaster, also commiserated with the Cross River State Government and Governor Senator Bassey Otu over the enormous challenge posed by the unfolding flood crisis.
He, however, stressed that the situation should serve as a major lesson in disaster preparedness, urging relevant authorities and stakeholders to pay greater attention to early warning systems and take decisive preventive measures before disasters occur.
According to him, early warnings are only useful when they are followed by timely action.
Duke noted that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had provided predictive information concerning the possibility of flooding, adding that such warnings should trigger immediate efforts to identify vulnerable locations, assess the level of risk and deploy preventive measures.
“If we have first-hand information such as the predictive announcement from NiMet concerning possible flood disasters, it is expected that we follow up by trying to identify possible areas or even collaborate with them to get first-hand information. With this, we will be able to minimise the impact or put the crisis in check,” he said.
The NDDC representative emphasised the importance of strengthening collaboration among government agencies, emergency management authorities, local communities and technical institutions to ensure that early warning information translates into practical action.
He explained that proactive mapping of flood-prone areas, improved drainage systems, proper environmental planning and timely evacuation or protection of vulnerable communities could significantly reduce the human and economic consequences of flooding.
While acknowledging the scale of the present disaster, Duke expressed confidence in the ability of the state government to respond effectively and draw the necessary lessons from the incident.
“What has happened is a big lesson, and I am confident that the Governor will put adequate measures in place to avoid future occurrence while we tackle the current situation,” he stated.
He commended Governor Otu for the responsibility of managing the immediate emergency while also confronting the wider implications of flooding across the state, stressing that the situation requires collective responsibility rather than the efforts of government alone.
Duke further disclosed that the NDDC, as an interventionist agency in the Niger Delta, was already engaging relevant institutions to provide assistance to communities affected by the disaster.
“As an interventionist agency, we will continue to work together with government to address issues within our domain. At the moment, we are working with NEMA, the South South Development Commission and other bodies to bring succour to the affected areas,” he said.
He assured affected communities that intervention agencies would continue to explore avenues for immediate relief and longer-term interventions, while calling for stronger institutional coordination in responding to emergencies.
The NDDC representative maintained that the Anansa Road flood disaster and the wider flooding experienced in different parts of Cross River should not be viewed only as an emergency requiring immediate relief, but also as a wake-up call to strengthen the state’s disaster preparedness architecture.
He called for sustained investment in flood control infrastructure, improved drainage and water management systems, environmental monitoring, community sensitisation and the establishment of stronger mechanisms for translating meteorological predictions into timely interventions.
Duke urged residents, communities and relevant authorities to take weather and environmental warnings seriously, noting that disaster mitigation begins long before floodwaters arrive.
He said the priority at present should be to provide relief to affected persons, protect lives and property and restore affected communities, while simultaneously putting measures in place to ensure that the lessons from the current crisis lead to a safer and more resilient Cross River State.