By Sylvia Akpan
The Cross River State Government has deployed a high-capacity swamp buggy to the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) Staff Quarters in Calabar to clear blocked waterways and mitigate flooding caused by recent torrential rainfall.
The intervention, ordered by Governor Bassey Otu, followed flooding in parts of the staff quarters, which affected some residential buildings and household properties.
The Vice Chancellor of UNICROSS, Prof. Francisca Bassey, accompanied by members of the University Management, visited the affected areas to assess the situation and interact with residents.
The inspection was conducted amid heavy rainfall, as the swamp buggy deployed by the state government was already being used to clear blocked waterways, desilt drainage channels and create wider passages for the free flow of stormwater.
Speaking during the inspection, Prof. Bassey expressed concern over the impact of the flooding on staff members and their families, particularly those whose homes and personal belongings were affected.
She noted that repeated damage to household properties could place additional financial pressure on staff, stressing the need for proactive measures to prevent recurrent flooding.
The Vice Chancellor commended Governor Otu and the state government for the timely intervention, describing the deployment of the swamp buggy as a demonstration of responsiveness to challenges affecting members of the university community.
She called for sustained drainage maintenance and proactive environmental management within the university environment.
She disclosed that the university management would explore measures for the periodic desilting of major drainage channels and natural waterways, particularly ahead of periods of heavy rainfall, to reduce the risk of flooding.
According to her, staff welfare remains a priority of her administration, assuring members of the university community that management would continue to collaborate with the state government and other relevant stakeholders to improve the living and working conditions of staff.
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