The Cross River State Authorities has mentioned it’s taking steps in the direction of containing the impression of any eventual flooding within the state.
The Cross River Commissioner for Setting, Mr Moses Osogi, said this following predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Company.
Osogi advised the Information Company of Nigeria in Calabar on Friday that the plan adopted the 2024 prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Company NiMet which listed the state as flood-prone.
He mentioned that the state authorities had made preparations in the direction of decreasing the impression of flooding within the state through the 12 months.
“We’re doing every part obligatory to make sure that the impression is diminished to the barest minimal, we will additionally make sure that these in flood-prone areas are secure.
“Aside from the sensitisation programmes being carried out by the federal government, these in flood susceptible areas have been suggested to maneuver to the upland,” he mentioned.
The commissioner mentioned that though flooding was a pure incidence, the situation of Cross River made it liable to such incidence.
“As a authorities, we’re conscious of this reality, we’re working in step with the prediction and warnings of NiMet.
“As a part of efforts to mitigate the impression, we have now cleared most drainage and water channels throughout the state for simple stream of water.
“These within the riverine and flood-prone areas have additionally been suggested to relocate to the upland for security.
“For these shifting, the federal government, by the State Emergency Administration Company is engaged on shelter for them,” he mentioned.
Osogi warned residents of the state towards erecting constructions on waterways, saying that the state authorities would prosecute anybody discovered flouting the order.
It will be recalled that NiMet in its 2024 annual flood outlook, mentioned that 148 native governments in 31 states fell inside excessive flood danger areas.
Solely just lately, the Minister of Water Assets and Sanitation, Joseph Utserv, mentioned that some states had already began experiencing various ranges of flooding and its related disasters.
He said that many of the flood incidents recorded up to now had been flash or city floods, ensuing from excessive rainfall and poor or blocked drainage methods.
NAN.