NEMA urges Cross River govt to strengthen fire prevention as outbreaks displace residents

Due to the increasing number of fire incidents in Cross River State, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has raised concerns and urged the government to promptly enhance preventive measures and enforce safety regulations to avert further disasters.

The call was made during the distribution of relief materials to victims of recent fire incidents in parts of Calabar and Bakassi Local Government Areas on Tuesday in Calabar.

The Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, who was represented by Mrs Mmandu Aisueni, Head of Operations, NEMA Uyo Operations Office, disclosed that the intervention followed detailed assessments conducted after multiple fire outbreaks recorded between 2025 and 2026.

According to Umar, the Federal Government approved the relief package after NEMA submitted comprehensive reports on the scale of destruction and the number of affected victims.

Items distributed included 300 bags of 25kg rice, 300 bags of beans, 300 bags of garri, 300 bags of cement, 50 rolls of roofing sheets, 30 bags of salt, 30 cartons of tomato paste, 30 cartons of vegetable oil, 30 cartons of seasoning cubes, and 100 dignity packs for women.

Describing the frequency of fire incidents as alarming, Umar noted that at least two major outbreaks were recorded in Calabar within one week, linked to power surges and gas explosions in residential areas.

“The state government must enforce proper siting of gas stations and ensure strict adherence to safety standards,” she warned, while also urging residents to adopt preventive habits such as switching off electrical appliances and handling fire sources with caution.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr Antigha Gill, said the intervention reflected strong collaboration between federal and state authorities.

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Gill explained that thorough assessments were carried out to identify genuine victims and determine their specific needs before the distribution exercise.

He urged residents to remain vigilant, especially during the dry season when fire risks are heightened, and called on electricity providers to replace outdated infrastructure blamed for frequent fire outbreaks caused by faulty cables.

Victims who benefited from the relief materials expressed gratitude but appealed for additional support to rebuild their lives.

One of the victims, Mrs Eyoanwan Effiong, recounted how a fire incident on December 14, 2025, destroyed her home, leaving her and her children displaced and in urgent need of financial assistance.

Another beneficiary, Mr Ene Okon, commended the government’s response but appealed for building support to restore his damaged property.

While food items were distributed to affected tenants, landlords received cement and roofing materials to aid reconstruction efforts.

NEMA also conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the timber market recently razed by fire to document affected stalls and shop owners as part of ongoing response and recovery efforts.