The South-South Development Commission (SSDC) has intensified its assessment of flood-affected communities across the region, extending its intervention efforts to Akwa Ibom State to ascertain the extent of damage caused by recent flooding and identify practical measures to support affected residents and strengthen long-term resilience.
Rather than remain within the confines of its offices while communities grapple with the devastating consequences of flooding, the Commission’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ms Usoro Akpabio, alongside her team, embarked on an on-the-spot assessment of affected communities in Akwa Ibom. The exercise is part of the Commission’s broader effort to understand the realities on the ground and work in partnership with relevant government agencies and stakeholders to develop appropriate responses.
The assessment followed an earlier mission to Cross River State and took the SSDC team to communities including Uyo, Nkemba Asong Ama, Nwaniba and Ibeno, where families, homes, livelihoods and critical infrastructure have been affected by flooding.
In Uyo alone, a rapid assessment by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) recorded 2,118 persons from 353 households as having been affected by the July 9 flooding. Several displaced families were forced to seek refuge with relatives and members of host communities.
For the SSDC team, however, the assessment revealed that the flooding challenge goes beyond rainfall and the immediate rise in water levels. Issues such as blocked drainage channels, inadequate drainage capacity, poor waste-disposal practices, the need for regular desilting, development around natural waterways and changing patterns of urban expansion are contributing to the vulnerability of communities.
The Commission therefore believes that addressing the consequences of flooding requires a two-pronged approach: providing immediate humanitarian assistance to affected communities while simultaneously tackling the environmental and infrastructural conditions that make such communities increasingly susceptible to flooding.
During the field assessment, the team engaged residents, listened to their experiences and concerns, and examined the conditions in the affected areas. The information gathered is expected to contribute to the Commission’s broader regional strategy on humanitarian relief, environmental assessment, flood-risk reduction, resilient infrastructure and disaster preparedness.
Hearing the Voices Behind the Flood in Ibeno
In Ibeno, the SSDC team went beyond inspecting affected roads and locations to engage directly with displaced residents through a mini town-hall meeting.
The engagement provided an opportunity for residents to share their experiences, immediate needs and concerns, while the Commission witnessed firsthand the extent of the impact of flooding across the community.
With more rainfall expected, the engagement underscored the need for preparedness and collective action to protect lives, reduce vulnerability and strengthen emergency response mechanisms.
For the Commission, hearing directly from affected residents is critical to ensuring that interventions are informed by the realities of the people they are designed to serve.
From Assessment to Partnership
The SSDC's intervention-focused approach also emphasises collaboration with state governments and other relevant agencies.
As part of its assessment mission in Cross River State, the Commission paid a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Agbe Odey, to formally communicate the purpose of its assessment, express solidarity with the people affected by the disaster and reaffirm its commitment to supporting the state’s response.
The visit further reinforced the Commission’s position that disasters of this magnitude require coordinated action among government institutions and other stakeholders.
From humanitarian relief and environmental assessments to infrastructure development and long-term resilience measures, the SSDC is positioning its intervention efforts around practical solutions that address both immediate needs and underlying vulnerabilities.
The flood assessment across Akwa Ibom and Cross River States therefore represents more than a tour of affected communities. It is an effort to understand the full story behind the disaster, listen to those bearing its consequences and translate those findings into meaningful interventions.
The lesson emerging from the exercise is clear: flooding may be an emergency, but preventing its devastating consequences must be a planning responsibility.
As the rainy season continues, the SSDC is calling attention to the need for preparedness, stronger environmental management, improved drainage systems, resilient infrastructure and sustained collaboration among government agencies and communities.
The Commission has seen the impact, heard the people and gathered firsthand evidence. The next responsibility is to help shape and support solutions that will make communities across the South-South region safer and more resilient.
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