A lawmaker representing the Biase/Akamkpa federal constituency in Cross River State,Ime Inyang, said about 5,000 farmers lost their means of livelihood to flooding in the Urugbam community of Biase LGA of the state.

The federal lawmaker made the disclosure during the distribution of palliatives to the residents by the National Emergency Management Agency in Urugbam on Wednesday.

Mr Inyang said several buildings were also destroyed by the flood described as the worst in the history of the community.

Represented by Gabriel Owali, the lawmaker who facilitated the palliatives, noted that aside from NEMA, the people had not got any other intervention to cushion against the impact of the flood.

“We understand this won’t go round, but we are appreciative of the federal government’s effort through NEMA on these palliatives,” he stated.

Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, said the release of the palliatives followed earlier assessments of the impact of the flood by the interventionist agency.

Represented by Mmendu Aisuene, the agency’s head of operations in Uyo, the NEMA boss appealed to the people to always heed flood warnings.

She said, “I know these palliatives won’t do the magic, but they will go a long way to cushion the effect of the flood. I want to also appeal to you to always listen to warnings against floods by the federal government, if not for anything else, to save lives and other valuables. I am also telling us to avoid blocking the drainage channels and also avoid erecting structures on waterways.”

Meanwhile, the community said palliative distribution by NEMA took them by surprise as they have had to rely on relatives to feed.

A resident, Okonli Ukan, while thanking the federal government for coming to their aid, said they had yet to get over the destruction left behind by the flood.

Some of the items distributed included rice, garri, seasoning, groundnut oil, among others.

(NAN)