Cross River State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, has reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to supporting the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in strengthening disaster risk reduction, preparedness and emergency response.
The Deputy Governor gave the assurance on Tuesday while receiving a delegation from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), led by the Assistant Director of Operations, Abuja/Uyo Operations Office, Mr. Labaran Ahman, during a courtesy visit in Calabar.
Rt. Hon. Odey commended NEMA for its proactive interventions in disaster management and its sustained collaboration with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA). He described disaster preparedness as a vital component of the state’s strategy to safeguard lives and property, stressing that the Governor Bassey Otu-led administration remains committed to building resilient communities through effective partnerships with relevant agencies.
Reiterating the state’s readiness to work closely with NEMA and other development partners to protect lives, preserve livelihoods and build more resilient communities across the state, Odey assured the delegation of the full support of the State Government towards the successful implementation of the agency’s programmes and activities.
He also appreciated NEMA for selecting Cross River to host key emergency management activities, noting that such initiatives would strengthen the capacity of emergency responders and improve the state’s preparedness for flood-related disasters.
Earlier, Mr Labaran Ahman informed the Deputy Governor that NEMA was in Cross River State on three strategic assignments. He explained that his visit was to brief the State Government on the agency’s ongoing and upcoming activities, seek its continued support, and reinforce the partnership between NEMA and the Cross River State Government in advancing disaster risk reduction, preparedness and effective emergency response.
According to him, the agency has concluded the assessment of communities affected by flooding in the Southern Senatorial District and is extending the exercise to Abi, Etung, Ikom and Obubra Local Government Areas to determine the extent of the damage and identify appropriate intervention measures.
He further disclosed that NEMA, in collaboration with CR-SEMA and other critical stakeholders, will next week conduct a flood disaster response simulation exercise at Marina Beach, Calabar South. He explained that the exercise is designed to test the operational readiness of emergency responders, strengthen inter-agency coordination and improve community preparedness ahead of the peak of the 2026 flood season.
Mr Ahman also announced that the State will host the South-South Zonal Workshop on the Review of the National Policy on Relief and Rehabilitation the following week. The workshop, he said, will bring together emergency management stakeholders from across the region to review existing policies, share best practices and strengthen Nigeria’s disaster management framework.
Mr Ahman was accompanied on the visit by the Assistant Chief Accountant, NEMA Uyo Operations Office, Mr Awoji Augustine, and the Director General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), Mr Efa Nyong.
