The Director General of
Cross River State Emergency Management Agenc, Mr John Inaku, told the News
Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Tuesday that the windstorm resulted from
the heavy rains in most communities in the state.
At least three persons died
and no fewer than 632 houses destroyed by storms between January and June this
year in Cross River, an official has said.
“Between January and June
this year, no fewer than 632 houses were destroyed by windstorm while also
killing three persons.
“Windstorm has ravaged so
many communities to such a magnitude that the state government alone cannot
even handle it.
“It now desires the
attention of the Federal Government, the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief
and Rehabilitation, National Emergency Management Agency and others.
“We have written to them,
but as we speak, we have not heard anything from them this year after several
appeals,’’ Inaku said.
He said that he had been to
the affected communities to assess the level of damage with a view to assisting
the victims.
“Gov. Ben Ayade is
passionate about the wellbeing of the people of Cross River; he has asked me to
do the total costing of what it will take to care for all the victims.
“He has released the first
set of relief materials and as we speak, another two trucks are on ground with
relief materials for the victims.
“I wish to appeal to the
victims who have not gotten any relief materials to be patient. We will
definitely reach them,’’ he said.
He further said that the
windstorm was partly caused by over deforestation, especially in Bansan
community in Boki Local Government Area where more than 322 houses were destroyed
in May.
“There has been much timber
logging in that area such that all the economic trees have been brought down
for business purposes.
“The state forestry
commission has advised the residents to stop the cutting of trees but to no
avail.
“Even when they cut down
the trees, there is no re-planting of new ones,’’ he lamented. (NAN)
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