The Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has warned residents living in flooded areas in Calabar metropolis to desist from dumping refuse along the water channels.

Mr Princewill Ayim, Acting Director General of SEMA, gave the warning on Monday in an interview in Calabar, decrying the rate of flooding in some parts of Calabar, and attributing the problem to the high volume of refuse being dumped in the water channels.

He highlighted that the agency had carried out sensitisation programmes on radio, television and during town hall meetings to enlighten residents on the dangers of dumping refuse along the waterways, stressing that the refuse blocked the free flow of water through the channels, hence the dangerous trend to the residents.

He mentioned some of the flooded areas in Calabar to include: Efiote Round About, Parliamentary Road, Target St. by Goldie, Ekpo-Abasi Junction, MCC Road, Federal Housing by SPC Junction, among others.

In the past few weeks, parts of Calabar metropolis had experienced massive flooding which lasted for hours.

“This flooding usually occurs because the channels are not opened to free flow of water.

“Residents living in such areas should desist from dumping refuse along the waterways.

“People must learn to imbibe sustainable and progressive environmental practices.

“As an agency, we are also encouraging residents of Calabar to plant trees and maintain a good hygienic environment.

“Gov. Ben Ayade is doing everything possible to keep the environment clean; so it is our duty to sensitive residents on the need for proper environmental management,” he said, advising those seeking residential houses to be careful in choosing where to live, so as to avoid living in houses built on waterways.