Continual rainfall in the past few days has destroyed houses, farm crops and other properties in Akpet central of Biase Local Government Area, Cross River State.
More than 70 houses have been affected, just as goods and properties, economic crops and trees worth over N100 million are said to have been destroyed.
The member representing Biase State constituency in Cross River House of Assembly, Hon. Francis Ogban lamented the effects of the flood devastation when he visited to assess the extent of damage on Saturday.
He was accompanied on the assessment visit by the commissioner for Youths Development, Barr. Ijom Ukam, as well as Mr. Dan Obo, Chairman of the National Youth Council in the State.
The lawmaker said that the flood had stopped farmers in Akpet communities from accessing their farms, adding that many have been displaced as their houses were affected.
Speaking to journalists, Ogban said, “The flood has negatively affected the farmers, displaced many villagers and their means of livelihoods have been affected.”
He called on the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for relief assistance to persons affected.
He also appealed to the Federal Ministry of Works to impress on a private construction firm, SEMATECH to reconstruct the culvert in Akpet Central.
Community Representatives, Dr. Samuel Egbai, as well as Mr. Ogban Ogban Ethothi disclosed that the construction of the Akpet culvert was abandoned three years ago after the rehabilitation of Akpet axis of the Calabar/Ugep highway.
They blamed the flooding on poor construction of the culvert by the contractor.
Flood ravages houses, farmlands in Cross River communities