Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has warned residents to stop building houses on natural drainage channels, saying the practice is one of the major reasons flooding continues to affect many parts of Calabar and other communities across the state.
The governor gave the warning after visiting some of the worst-hit flood areas around the Industrial Park axis of Calabar, where heavy rainfall left roads flooded and many residents trapped in their homes. During the inspection, he directed the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure to immediately begin emergency work to drain the floodwater and restore access to affected communities.
Governor Otu said many of the buildings blocking waterways were erected without proper government approval, making it difficult for floodwater to flow freely.
He appealed to property owners whose buildings are on drainage paths to cooperate with government, adding that while the administration will try to avoid unnecessary demolitions, public safety must come first.
The governor also advised anyone planning to build a house to first obtain the necessary approvals, especially in environmentally sensitive areas, warning that ignoring town planning regulations could lead to more disasters in the future.
According to him, government's immediate priority is to remove the floodwater and help residents return to their normal lives. He disclosed that emergency response teams have already been deployed to assess the level of damage and identify families that may need temporary shelter, food and other relief materials.
Governor Otu further noted that climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of flooding, making it necessary for the state to review and expand its drainage master plan to cope with current realities. He assured residents that his administration will continue to invest in long-term flood control measures to reduce the impact of future disasters.
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