Agency chief tasks experts on frequent mudslides in C’River
The Director-General (DG), Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Vincent Aquah, made the call while delivering relief materials to the Boki mudslide, windstorm and fire victims at Okundi in Boki Councils.
Aquah said that the call has become imperative taking cognizance of the frequency of the occurrence, which had destroyed farmlands and homes at the Irruan and Betriko communities in Boki Council as well as some communities in Obudu.
He asserted that with proper and comprehensive study of the nature of the slides as well as adequate information and sensitisation, the colossal damage caused by the disaster would have either been averted or maximally reduced.
The SEMA boss, who observed that the area which is inundated with high rising hills on which farming activities are taking place could pose a very high vulnerability to future slides with devastating effects.
Aquah also pointed out that it should be absolutely necessary to effectively monitor building constructions in valleys and around the bottom of hills as well as other human activities so as to avoid an avalanche of mudslide, which many communities in Boki and Obudu experienced in the past.
Consoling the victims of the mudslide, storms and fire disasters, which occurred in 2009, the SEMA DG assured the people of the area of the Governor, Liyel Imoke’s good nature to always show interest in the affairs of Cross Riverians devoid of sentiments.
The DG, who was represented by the Assistant Director (Administration), Mrs. Bernadette Ndifon, urged the victims to accept the magnanimity of government as a way of providing succour to those affected.
He commended the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for its collaborative efforts at supporting the state government with the materials.
The Boki Local Council Chairman, Mrs. Bessie Bankong Obi, was also commended for her supportive role in ensuring that the affected people were attended to.
Receiving the items for distribution, Obi said that she was overwhelmed by the show of generosity demonstrated by the state and Federal Governments through their agencies.
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