NEMA assesses Akwa Ibom windstorm disaster
National Emergency Management Agency NEMA
Abdullateef Fowewe
A joint assessment team from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Uyo Operations, Akwa Ibom State Emergency Management Agency (AK-SEMA), state government officials, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area Chairman, and community leaders conducted an on-the-spot evaluation of the devastating windstorm that struck five communities in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.
NEMA in a statement on Monday confirmed that the windstorm caused extensive damage to the Federal Government Unity College buildings in Ikot Ekpene, including the girls’ hostel fence, Basic Science Laboratory, multiple classroom blocks, administrative offices, the e-library with computers, solar panels, water pumps, storage tanks, and the generator house.
The statement reads, “A joint assessment team comprising the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Uyo Operations Office, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor covering the Akwa Ibom State Emergency Management Agency (AK-SEMA), the Commissioners for Information and Humanitarian Affairs, the Ikot Ekpene LGA Chairman and community leaders conducted an on-the spot assessment of the recent devastating windstorm disaster in some communities in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
“The windstorm caused significant destruction to the Federal Government Unity College buildings in Ikot Ekpene and other residential buildings in the communities, displacing the school students, teaching and non teaching staff, as well as several families. Critical infrastructures, including transformers, electricity poles, and rooftops, suffered severe damage, while farmlands and economic trees were also affected, threatening livelihoods. Many households urgently require shelter, food, and medical assistance, with vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and persons with disabilities at higher risk.”
However, the Dailyeconomy gathered that the destruction forced the postponement of school resumption for most students except those in examination classes, as confirmed by the Parents-Teachers Association chairman, Dr. J.J. Etim.
Beyond the school, the disaster displaced over 300 households, destroyed residential buildings, critical infrastructure such as electricity poles and transformers, and damaged farmlands and economic trees, threatening the livelihoods of many families.
Vulnerable groups including children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities are at heightened risk and many households urgently require shelter, food, and medical aid.
