Windstorm kills four in Calabar, displaces 26,000
Friday, June 22, 2012Omoba
Four
persons have been confirmed dead while over 26, 000 people are displaced as a
result of a windstorm that ravaged eight local government areas in the northern
part of Cross River State.
The
storm that has raged throughout the week, destroyed property worth several
millions of Naira as over 2,200 public and private houses, had their
roofs either blown off or completely destroyed.
According
to UNICEF’s Desk Officer, Mr. Anthony Unoh, and Programme Manager for State
Emergency Management Agency, Akpotu-Adesi, the affected local government areas
include Ikom, Obanliku, Bekwarra, Obudu, Yala, Ogoja, Odukpani and Boki.
Mr
Unoh noted that the disaster has prompted the governor of the state, Mr Liyel
Imoke, to invite the Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency
(NEMA), for necessary assistance to the victims.
Students
in most of the affected secondary and primary schools are now studying under
trees or shades. The worst hit schools are the Secondary Commercial School,
Kakwagom, St. Patrick’s Primary school, Kakwagom, and the Bawop Secondary
School, all in Boki Local Government Area.
A
community leader from Utugwang, Mr. Aliko David Mkpa, stated that he lost his
house to the windstorm while his family has relocated to the neighbouring
community.”
Mr
Mkpa pleaded for support saying “we need help from government and other donor
agencies immediately, because it has become very difficult for us to even eat.”
Source: Channels Tv
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