The Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), began assessing drainage channels at the University of Cross River (UniCross), Calabar, on Friday.

The exercise followed a distress letter from the university’s vice-chancellor, Francisca Bassey, highlighting persistent flooding and deteriorating drainage infrastructure within and around the institution.

Speaking during the assessment, led by CR-SEMA director-general Efa Nyong and NEMA acting head of operations for Cross River and Akwa Ibom, Austin Awoji, Mr Bassey thanked the agencies for responding to the university’s concerns.

“The rehabilitation of the drainage system is therefore considered crucial to addressing recurring flooding in the affected areas,” Mr Bassey said.

Representing the deputy vice-chancellor, administration, Thomas Ojikpong, the vice-chancellor described the university’s earlier letter as a “cry for help”, saying the institution was relieved its concerns had received prompt attention.

The delegation inspected several drainage channels and observed extensive siltation, blocked sections and damaged concrete structures. It also observed collapsed portions of some channels, allowing water to spill into surrounding areas.

The team also identified sections where the drainage channels appeared inadequate for the volume of water passing through them, raising concerns over their capacity and the need for possible expansion.

The inspection also extended to nearby residential areas, where several houses reportedly affected by recurring flooding had been abandoned by their occupants.

Mr Nyong said the team had seen the situation firsthand and would work with NEMA to study the findings and identify practical solutions to the flooding challenge.

He said efforts were underway to deploy a swamp buggy to help desilt blocked drainage channels as an immediate measure to improve water flow.

Similarly, Mr Awoji said he had assessed the extent of the damage and would present the findings to NEMA for consideration of appropriate interventions.

The drainage system carries runoff from parts of Calabar, including Marian, the highway and parts of Calabar South, towards the sea.

(NAN)