- Heavy rains in Cross River State’s Biase Local Government Area destroyed at least 70 houses and properties worth over N100 million
- Community leaders blamed the flooding on a poorly constructed culvert abandoned three years ago, calling for reconstruction to prevent further damage
At least 70 houses were reported destroyed by heavy rains in the last few days in communities within Akpet Central in Cross River State’s Biase Local Government Area.
The rain was also said to have destroyed properties worth more than N100 million.
Dr. Samuel Egbai and Mr. Ogban Ogban Ethothi, community leaders, revealed that one of the causes of flooding in the communities was the construction of the Akpet culvert, which was abandoned three years ago immediately after the rehabilitation of the Akpet axis of the Calabar/Ugep highway.
“The reason for the flooding of our communities is due to the contractor’s poor construction of the culvert,” they claim.
Hon. Francis Ogban, member of the Cross River House of Assembly representing the Biase Constituency, visited the communities over the weekend to assess the extent of damage, lamenting the effects of the flood.
He was accompanied by Barr. Ijom Ukam, Commissioner for Youth Development, and Mr. Dan Obo, Chairman of the State National Youth Council.
The flood, according to the legislator, had prevented farmers in Akpet communities from accessing their farms.
He revealed that many people had been displaced as a result of the damage to their homes.
Ogban said;
The flood has negatively affected the farmers, displaced many villagers and their means of livelihoods have been affected.
He requested that the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) provide relief assistance to flood victims.
He also requested that the Federal Ministry of Work ensure that a private construction firm, SEMATECH, reconstruct the culvert in Akpet Central from the ring to the box to prevent further property damage.
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