We’ve not received palliatives in Cross River — SEMA DG

The Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA in Cross River State, Elder James Anam has debunked rumors about a significant delivery of food items supposedly sent to the state.

During a press briefing on Monday, Anam said reports indicating that 200 trailers of food were sent to address food shortages have been found to be untrue.

The Director General emphasised the importance of seeking the truth amidst sensational headlines.

“Curiosity has its own reason for existing. In the age of information, it is essential to look beyond sensational headlines and seek the truth,” he stated.

The rumors have created significant public interest, with many believing in a concerted effort to address food scarcity. However, a closer examination revealed that the news was a fabrication designed to create a false sense of relief.

“We have about 5 million people in Cross River State, and we are positioned to cater for as many as possible. I must confess that this government is very passionate, and we have allocated good items to all local governments in the state. We have accounted for all categories: the disabled, the youth group, the women, the church, and local government staff. Unfortunately, it is a social media world, but we appeal to our people to use social media for unity and not to disunite us,” Anam said.

During the briefing, the Director General provided specific details on the food items received from the Federal Government of Nigeria’s National Strategic Reserve between April 24, 2024, and May 18, 2024.

“The actual quantities we received were 3,384 bags of garri (25kg each), 24,000 bags of rice (25kg each), and 14,040 bags of maize (50kg each), which was later swapped with the Governor’s approval for 600 bags of 100kg beans and 800 bags of 50kg garri,” he explained.

The Director General expressed disappointment over the spread of false information, particularly concerning such a critical issue as food security. “It is disheartening to witness the spread of false information, especially when it concerns something as fundamental as food security. The consequences of such misinformation can be dire, as it distracts from the real issues at hand and hinders genuine efforts to address the challenges faced by communities,” he added.

He emphasised the importance of fact-checking and distinguishing truth from falsehood in today’s era of widespread misinformation.

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