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Idongesit Ashameri
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has given relevant government agencies one week to review the state’s Drainage Master Plan and come up with practical measures to address the recurring flash floods affecting parts of Uyo metropolis.
The directive followed the Governor’s personal inspection of some of the communities worst affected by the recent flooding, where he sympathised with residents and witnessed firsthand the impact of blocked drainage channels and overflowing waterways in Uyo at the weekend.
From the underground drainage system along Ikot Ekpene Road at Itam Junction to the Nkemba drainage channel, Akpan Essien–Akpan Udosen axis and Osongama Estate Extension, the Governor was briefed on the emergency efforts already underway to clear blocked drains and restore the flow of stormwater.
At Osongama Estate Extension, where residents have repeatedly battled flooding, Governor Eno listened to concerns from the community and assured them that government would pursue both immediate relief and lasting engineering solutions.
He said the recent flooding had made it necessary to take another look at the state’s drainage plan and ensure that future interventions were based on the realities confronting communities.
“The essence of this inspection is to see things for myself so that our discussions on the Drainage Master Plan will be based on the realities on the ground,” the Governor said.
According to him, while the flooding was not entirely caused by human activities, the situation had been worsened by the obstruction of natural waterways and the indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
He said government would engage owners of buildings obstructing natural drainage corridors and, where necessary, revoke Certificates of Occupancy, pay appropriate compensation and remove the structures to allow water to flow freely.
Governor Eno directed the Ministries of Environment and Works, the Akwa Ibom State Waste Management Agency, consultants, construction contractors and other relevant stakeholders to meet immediately and produce a detailed action plan within one week.
He also appealed to residents to take greater responsibility for their surroundings by keeping gutters and waterways free of refuse.
“We will continue to play our part as government, but our people must also do theirs by protecting our drainage channels and maintaining a clean environment,” he said.
The Governor commended the Emergency Flood Response Committee, led by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, as well as contractors and emergency workers who moved quickly to desilt drains, remove refuse and clear debris from affected areas.
Senator Eyakenyi said the committee began intervention efforts on July 10, a day after the heavy rainfall that triggered the flooding in several communities.
She said the immediate response had helped to mitigate the situation, while more permanent measures, including drainage reconstruction, expansion and the removal of obstructions, were being considered.
The Deputy Governor also disclosed that the National Emergency Management Agency and the State Emergency Management Agency were identifying families displaced by the flooding for temporary shelter and other humanitarian assistance.
Chairman of the Environmental Task Force, Prince Ikim, said contractors had been mobilised to clear critical drainage channels across the state, while response teams had been sent to Ibeno, Abak and other flood-prone areas to investigate the causes of flooding and recommend lasting solutions.
For residents of Osongama Estate Extension, the Governor’s visit offered a measure of reassurance after years of living with the disruption caused by recurring floods.
Chairman of the Residents Association, Mr Ofonmbuk Ukim, thanked the Governor for coming to see the situation for himself and expressed hope that the proposed interventions would finally address the problem.
