The South-South Development Commission (SSDC) has handed over humanitarian relief materials and a fire service truck to the Cross River State Government, fulfilling its pledge to support communities affected by floods, landslides and fire disasters.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Odey, received the Commission’s delegation alongside the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Anthony Owan-Enoh, and other government stakeholders.
The Executive Director, Human Capital Development and Social Services, Engr. Preye Aganaba, handed over the relief materials, while the Executive Director, Environmental Development and Commercial, Engr. Joseph Ugheoke, handed over the fire truck to strengthen the state’s firefighting capacity. The Executive Director, Finance, Amb. Soni Abang, also joined the delegation.
During my earlier on-the-spot assessment in Cross River State, I saw firsthand the devastating impact of floods, landslides and fire disasters on our people.
Together with my team, I inspected affected communities and blocked canals, visited displaced families at the Red Cross shelter and the CRS-SEMA office, and engaged officials of CRS-SEMA, NEMA and the Red Cross. We were also received by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Odey.
Having seen the conditions families were living in, we promised to intervene. This handover is part of our fulfilment of that promise.
We inspected flood and landslide sites, blocked canals and areas affected by fire. It also visited the Red Cross facility serving as a shelter for internally displaced persons and families taking refuge at the CRS-SEMA office. Officials of CRS-SEMA, NEMA and the Red Cross were on ground during the assessment, and the delegation was received by the Deputy Governor.
Following that visit, the Commission pledged to intervene. That commitment is now being translated into action through relief assistance, the provision of the fire truck, support for canal desilting and rehabilitation of the Red Cross IDP facility.
SSDC has also commenced environmental advocacy and public awareness campaigns, including jingles, to encourage practices that reduce flood risks and protect communities.
Together, these interventions address immediate humanitarian needs while supporting recovery and strengthening disaster preparedness in Cross River State, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the South-South Region.
