The Federal Government has pledged to coordinate a regional response to the devastating erosion and flooding affecting South-South region, especially the Cross River State, promising humanitarian support and long-term measures to mitigate disasters.
The Managing Director of the South-South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, gave the assurance on Tuesday during an assessment visit to erosion-ravaged communities and an Internally Displaced Persons camp in Cross River State.
Akpabio, who led a delegation comprising executive directors and the state’s representative on the commission’s board, said the visit underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to standing with affected communities during humanitarian emergencies.
She said, “When lives are at risk, leadership must be present. We had to cut short all official engagements because this is about people, families and communities whose lives have been disrupted. Nothing is more important to us than responding to a humanitarian emergency.”
The SSDC boss noted that beyond damaged infrastructure, many families had lost loved ones, livelihoods and their sense of security.
