The Cross River State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has responded swiftly to the flooding affecting the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) Staff Quarters by deploying a high-capacity swamp buggy to clear blocked waterways and restore the free flow of water within the area.
The intervention followed the recent torrential rainfall in Calabar, which resulted in flooding in parts of the Staff Quarters and affected some residential buildings and household properties.
In a demonstration of concern for the welfare of staff, the Vice Chancellor of UNICROSS, Prof. Francisca Bassey, accompanied by members of the University Management, visited the affected areas to assess the situation firsthand and interact with residents.
Remarkably, the Vice Chancellor and members of Management 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.
At the time of the visit, 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.
The Vice Chancellor 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. She noted that such damage could impose significant financial burdens on personnel who work hard to provide for their families and maintain their homes.
Prof. Bassey commended Governor Otu and the Cross River State Government for the deployment of the swamp buggy, describing the intervention as a timely demonstration of the State Government's responsiveness to issues affecting the University community.
She emphasized 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.
The Vice Chancellor further stressed the need for sustained drainage maintenance and proactive environmental management within the University environment.
Prof. Bassey indicated 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.
Members of staff in the affected areas expressed appreciation to Governor Otu and the Cross River State Government for the timely intervention, while also commending Prof. Francisca Bassey and members of University Management 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 and reflects a shared commitment to protecting lives and property while promoting the welfare of members of the University community.
- UNICROSS Media Team
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