Residents of flood-ravaged communities in Calabar, Cross River State, have called on the state government to implement a permanent solution to recurring flooding.

It will be recalled that the latest downpour claimed two lives, displaced families and destroyed homes and property.

The appeal came during a joint assessment of the affected areas in Palm Street, Ibom Layout and Academy by officials of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Ministry of Environment, the Nigerian Red Cross Society and the Federal Fire Service.

The Director-General of Cross River SEMA, Mr Efa Nyong, assured residents that the government would act on the findings of the assessment.

“We are going to compile our reports and forward them to the appropriate authorities. I want to assure everyone affected by the flooding that intervention will come,” Nyong said.

He added that while NEMA would provide support within its mandate, the Cross River State Government would also take steps to address the recurring flooding.

The Head of Operations, NEMA Uyo Operations Office, Mrs Aisueni Mmandu, called for stronger collaboration among government agencies and communities to reduce the impact of floods across the state. She said the agency would intensify public sensitisation campaigns in all 18 local government areas on flood prevention and disaster preparedness.

Mmandu blamed indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drains and waterways for worsening flooding in many communities, urging residents to adopt proper waste disposal practices.

“We need to change our attitude towards the environment. Stop dumping refuse in drainages and gutters. If waterways are blocked with plastic and other waste, floodwater will have nowhere to flow,” she said, describing the loss of two lives in the latest incident as unfortunate.

One of the affected residents, Mrs Josephine Okon, said the community had battled flooding for more than five years, with every rainy season bringing fresh destruction.

She said the recent flood struck in the early hours after heavy rainfall overwhelmed drainage channels, inundated homes and collapsed fences, forcing many residents to flee for safety.

“This is the first time government officials have visited us like this. We have endured flooding for years, and every rainy season our homes and property are destroyed. We are pleading with the government to provide a permanent solution,” she said.

The Commissioner for Information, Dr Erasmus Ekpang, expressed sympathy with the affected families, saying the assessment would provide first-hand information to guide both immediate relief efforts and long-term measures to tackle flooding in vulnerable communities.

He also urged residents to keep drainage channels free of refuse and comply with environmental sanitation regulations, stressing that effective flood prevention requires the collective efforts of both government and citizens.

Residents said they were hopeful that the assessment would lead to concrete action to end the recurring flooding that has disrupted lives and livelihoods in the affected communities.