The Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke has approved the relocation of a flood prone Eja community in Obubra Local Government area to safer grounds.
The Director General, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Mr. Vincent Aquah announced this during a meeting with leaders of the community in his office.Mr. Aquah also disclosed that building materials such as zinc, wood, cement, sand, gravel, rods and nails would soon be distributed to the beneficiaries.
The Director-General said that the gesture of Governor Imoke was borne out of his magnanimity to the community, who suffered devastating flooding in 2012 in which the entire village located along the coastline of the Cross River was completely overwhelmed.He recalled that over 70 houses were destroyed, displacing about 210 families of 1,874 persons.
Mr. Aquah further pointed out that based on the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) predictions for higher rainfall pattern this year, the community remained highly vulnerable to devastating flood, which could put the lives of thousands of persons at risk as well as property including houses and farms that could run into millions of Naira.
The Director-General, who expressed satisfaction with the location of the new site said that the land would be allocated on family basis and houses built according to government specifications, taking into consideration the topography, wind pass and other developmental issues relating to disaster prevention.
The SEMA boss assured that collaboration with other stakeholders, especially the leaders of the community, including youths and women would be on a very high note to guarantee the success of the relocation programme.He used the opportunity to advise all communities along the fringe of rivers, plains and water channels to be wary of possible high flood this year and be guided so as to avoid unnecessary calamities.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Rt. Hon Fabian Okpa described the Governor as a patriotic and committed Chief Servant of the people, who at all times is committed to welfare of the less privileged in the society.He advised the leaders of Eja community and the entire Obubra to give Government the needed support to actualize the relocation programme.
According to him, the managerial acumen of the lean resources of the State in vital areas of needs attested to his genuineness of purpose and democratic spirit.
Responding, the village Head of Eja, Chief Livinus Ekpe showered encomium on the State Governor, Senator Imoke for his generosity and sensitivity to the plight of his people, pointing out that with the Governor's pragmatism on the hitherto disillusioned people is being renewed with hope.
The traditional ruler promised that the community would continue to collaborate with the Government to bring to fruition the lofty programme.
Hon. Cosmos Ezama, an opinion leader of the community described the Governor's gesture as one of the democratic dividends of the Imoke-led administration.Eja Community was one of the several communities overwhelmed by flood in 2012 that needed urgent relocation.
Another Community needing similar assistance is Agwagune in Biase LGA, which for several years have been experiencing devastating flooding and landslide, which has reduced the habitable land mass to less than 20 percent.
The relocation is very much important cos this is the right time to do that. I agree totally
This relocation is something useful right now cause that is the only way out of this mess for the victims.