The Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Otu, has deployed a high-capacity swamp buggy to the flood affected areas of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) staff quarters.
Otu’s swift response to the flood ravaged areas of the institution’s staff quarters is aimed at clearing the blocked waterways and restoring the free flow of water within the area.
DAYLIGHT REPORTERS reports that the intervention of the State Governor followed the recent torrential rainfall in Calabar, the State capital, which resulted in flooding parts of the staff quarters and affected some residential buildings and household properties.
Our reporter also learned on Monday that the swamp buggy deployed by the Cross River State Government was already on site and actively engaged in clearing blocked waterways, desilting drainage channels and opening wider passages to facilitate the free flow of stormwater.
Speaking on the Governor’s gesture, the Vice Chancellor of UNICROSS, Prof. Francisca Bassey, who visited the site in company of members of the University’s Management, commended Governor Otu and the Cross River State Government for the deployment of the swamp buggy to the area.
Bassey described the intervention as a timely demonstration of the State Government’s responsiveness to issues affecting the University community.
The Vice Chancellor and members of Management, who undertook the inspection amid a heavy downpour, demonstrating their willingness to personally confront the challenges facing members of the University community rather than relying solely on reports from the field, said the visit was a demonstration of their concern for the welfare of the staff and residents of the area.
Bassey expressed deep concern over the impact of the flooding on staff members and their families, particularly those whose homes and personal belongings had been affected, lamenting that such damage could impose significant financial burdens on personnel who work hard to provide for their families and maintain their homes.
She emphasised that staff should not continually have to expend their limited resources replacing household properties damaged by flooding when proactive environmental measures can be taken to mitigate the problem.
Bassey further stressed the need for sustained drainage maintenance and proactive environmental management within the University environment.
The Vice Chancellor assured that Management would continue to explore measures for the periodic desilting of major drainage channels and natural waterways, particularly ahead of the peak of the rainy season, to reduce the likelihood of recurrent flooding.
She reiterated that staff welfare remains a major priority of her administration, assuring members of the University community that Management would continue to collaborate with the Cross River State Government and other relevant stakeholders to address challenges affecting the living and working conditions of staff.
Some staff in the affected areas also expressed appreciation to Governor Otu and the Cross River State Government for the timely intervention, while also commending Prof. Francisca Bassey and members of the management of the university for personally visiting the affected areas despite the heavy rainfall.
The intervention by the State Government, coupled with the Vice Chancellor’s personal inspection of the affected areas, underscores the strong collaboration between the Cross River State Government and UNICROSS Management as well reflects a shared commitment to protecting lives and property while promoting the welfare of members of the university community.
