Over 100 houses in the Okubuchi community in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River have been destroyed by windstorms.
The PUNCH reported that the windstorm led to the displacement of over 500 households from their homes and are now squatting in neighbouring communities.
A community leader, Mr Anthony Ewah-Obi, who spoke on the plight of members of the affected community on Monday in Boki, said the windstorm occurred on July 16, 2022.
He said property worth N1.5 billion were also destroyed by the windstorm, adding that the disaster occurred after a rainfall during which economic trees and houses were pulled down.
“We have not had this kind of disaster before in our community. The windstorm destroyed over 100 houses including economic trees and other valuables.
“As we speak, over 500 households have been displaced as a result of the heavy windstorm. Many of them are now refugees in nearby communities.
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“We are looking for federal and state government intervention because our people are stranded; it is not easy for a man and his family to seek refuge in a house that is not his,” he said.
One of the victims, Mr Sunday Otu, said the disaster also affected their children’s education, adding that some of the affected pupils are seeking refuge in neighbouring villages with their parents.
Otu, whose roof was also destroyed, pleaded with the state and Federal Governments to assist the victims.
Mr Hilary Bisong, a member representing Boki 2 State Constituency in the Cross River House of Assembly, was also in the affected community to sympathise with them over the disaster.
The lawmaker appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency to assist the affected community with relief materials.
The Director General of Cross River Emergency Management Agency, Mr Princewill Ayim, said he had been briefed about the incident and sympathised with the victims, adding that the agency will soon visit the community to assess the damage and invite NEMA Zonal office, South-South, for intervention.
