By David Asu
The Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, has presented financial support to families who lost loved ones during the recent flood and landslide disasters in Calabar as part of the State Government’s continued commitment to assisting victims affected by the tragic incidents.
The financial support was presented on behalf of the Governor by the Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties, Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba, during a brief ceremony held at his office in Calabar in collaboration with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), led by its Director General, Mr. Efa Nyong.
The beneficiaries included Mr. Kingsley Etim, who lost his four children in the devastating landslide at Ikot Anwatim, Miss Sunday Jennifer, whose father lost his life while attempting to rescue the children during the incident, and Mrs. Chinonso Dominic, who lost her one-month-old baby after floodwaters swept the child away at Elijah Henshaw Street, Calabar.
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Presenting the financial assistance, Barr. Akiba conveyed the Governor’s heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, stressing that no amount of money could replace the lives they had lost.
He explained that the support was intended to ease some of the immediate burden on the affected families and to reassure them that the Government shares in their grief and remains committed to standing with them throughout the recovery process.
Barr. Akiba said Governor Prince Bassey Otu was deeply touched by the tragedies and directed that immediate support be provided to the affected families.
He assured the beneficiaries that the State Government would continue to provide necessary support to victims of disasters while strengthening measures aimed at protecting lives and property across the state.
Speaking during the presentation, the Director General of CR-SEMA, Mr. Efa Nyong, sympathized with the families over their painful losses and encouraged them to remain strong during this difficult period.
Mr. Nyong noted that since the disasters occurred, the Agency has remained actively engaged through rapid assessments, evacuation of displaced persons, temporary shelter support and continuous collaboration with relevant stakeholders to ensure affected families receive timely assistance.
He reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to working closely with the State Government and humanitarian partners like the Nigerian Red Cross and Humanity Without Borders Empowerment Initiative to provide sustained support for disaster victims across Cross River State.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Kingsley Etim expressed appreciation to Governor Otu for fulfilling his promise to support the affected families.
He thanked the Governor for remembering them in their time of grief, describing the financial assistance as a compassionate gesture that has given the family hope despite their painful loss.
Also speaking, Mr. Dominic, husband of Mrs. Chinonso Dominic, appreciated the Governor for his kindness and concern towards their family following the tragic loss of their one-month-old child during the flood disaster.
He commended the State Government and CR-SEMA for standing by the victims since the incidents occurred and prayed for God’s continued guidance upon the Governor and all those involved in providing humanitarian assistance.
