NEMA Assesses Damages of Mysterious Windstorm in Cross River

….Houses, Churches Destroyed, 15000 Displaced People

The Director General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), AVM Mohammed Audu-Bida (rtd) has despatched special teams to assess the massive damages and destruction that befell Ogoja and Yala Local Government Councils in Cross River State after a devastating and mysterious wind and thunderstorm which had displaced more than 15,000 people and damage 1200 houses at the weekend

The natural disaster that turned the communities to look like battlegrounds affected places of worship, warehouses, schools, abattoirs, hospitals, stadium, business centres, market square, farm produce and federal institutions like the prison yard, offices of INEC, NIPOST and NTA Station.

Conveying the director general’s sympathy to Ogoja community, the Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, Dr. Olusegun Ojo described the incident as the first worst natural disaster in Nigeria in 2009. He commended the concerted efforts of the community leaders and volunteer groups that rose to the occasion in saving many lives from the massive destruction as only three people were confirmed dead from the incident.

Another team led Special Technical Adviser in NEMA, Mr. Silva Ndifon for the on-the-spot assessments of the destruction at Yala Local Government Council counselled some of the displaced people who were seen returning to their homes to safeguard what remains of their properties and assets. Odifon assured the people of the state that the Federal Government would look into the situation towards providing necessary relief and supports to the victims of the disaster.

The two teams also took records of many economic trees that were uprooted from their foundation; several electricity poles fell on roadsides and on structures and scattered roofs that were uncapped from buildings.

Receiving the teams, the Director General of Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Vincent Aquah said the devastation was beyond human comprehension as more than 40% of households were damaged in one of the communities.

While commending NEMA for raising special teams to inspect the damages he called on the Federal Government to come to the aid of the communities with relief materials as the damages were beyond the capacity of the state to effectively manage.

Most of the community leaders and victims urged the government and international community to urgently intervene to avoid further disaster due to the exposure of most of the displaced people to inclement harsh whether elements.

Other members of the team during the inspection included the zonal Coordinator of South-South NEMA, Mr. Martin Osuwa, the Head of Public Relations, Mal. Yushau A. Shuaib amongst others.

Yushau A. Shuaib
Head of Press and Public Relations
GSM: 0803-5555-999