A fierce rainstorm has caused significant damage to numerous buildings and infrastructure at the University of Cross River State and across Calabar and adjoining towns, including blown-off roofs and flooding
[dropcap]A [/dropcap]powerful rainstorm has swept through Calabar and nearby towns in Cross River State, causing widespread destruction to numerous important buildings and infrastructure, including significant damage to the University of Cross River State.
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The intense storm affected several offices within the University’s Calabar campus, notably the conference room located in the Administrative Building that houses the Vice Chancellor’s office.
Other University buildings that sustained damage include the main Library, the Student Affairs building, the Biological Science building, the Environmental Studies building, the New Science Block A, the JAMB/CBT center, the former Post Graduate School building, the old block of the Mass Communication department, and the University’s New Auditorium.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State, Professor Francisca Bassey, expressed deep concern over the extent of the damage to the University’s structures.
She led members of the University’s management team on an immediate inspection of the affected buildings on the Calabar campus to assess the devastation.
Professor Bassey was represented during the inspection by the Director of Administration, Professor Tom Ojikpong.
Beyond the University, the rainstorm also caused substantial damage to residential and commercial properties across Calabar and adjoining areas.
Roofs of numerous houses, shops, and churches were torn off by the strong winds, and fallen tree trunks caused further damage to homes.
“The heavy rain and windstorm came without preparation. I thought it was going to be the normal rain but the impact of this one has wrecked me,” lamented Mr. Akpan, a resident of Waddel Street whose roof was blown off.
Many houses that lost their roofs experienced severe flooding, and walls of some buildings on Waddel Street were completely uprooted.
Mr. Akpan, a resident of Waddel Street in Calabar South, recounted the devastating impact of the storm on his home.
“The heavy rain and windstorm came without preparation. I thought it was going to be the normal rain but the impact of this one has wrecked me.
My parlour and rooms except kitchen were all flooded as the roof of my apartment was ripped open. I had to move my family to a friend’s house to go and sleep,” Akpan lamented.
A store owner also on Waddel Street, Mrs. Glory Mike, suffered significant losses as well. “I have lost 10 bags of rice.
The rain and the windstorm blew off the roof of my shop. I have lost my investments. How do I pay off my loans?” she asked, expressing her distress.
Earlier in a statement, the Commissioner for Information in the state, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, had cautioned residents to avoid potentially hazardous areas during the thunderstorms.
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Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Environment, Moses Osogi, has assured the public that the government is taking the necessary steps to address the environmental issues resulting from the storm.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
