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The Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) has commenced the desilting of gutters following the flood disaster caused by heavy rainfall in the Uyo metropolis.
The agency, in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPA), also refuted reports that the flood drowned two persons along Nkemba Street in the city.
Heavy rainfall that occurred in the state has caused unprecedented flooding along major streets, submerging houses and rendering some roads impassable.
Major streets affected by the flood include Nkemba, Tabernacle Road, 2 Lane, Udo Umanah, IBB Way, Nung Obio Enang, Berger Yard Junction by Stadium Road, Itam, and Brook Street, among others.
Reports on social media had alleged that two persons died in the flood along Nkemba Street, causing fear, panic and tension in the community.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the Youth President of Iboko Offot, Mr Francis Jumbo, described the reports of fatalities as false, adding that although the flooding caused significant damage to property, no human life was lost.
“We lost a goat and a few chickens, not human lives.”
He appreciated the Akwa Ibom State Government for its swift response to the incident and pledged the community’s full cooperation as efforts continue to clear blocked drainage channels along the Nwaniba–Ikot Ekpene Road corridor and other affected parts of the state.
The Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Nsikak Ekong, said the state government had intensified intervention efforts across flood-prone areas to reduce the impact of heavy rainfall.
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He urged residents to desist from dumping refuse in drainage channels, noting that gutters serve as designated waterways and must remain free to allow the unhindered flow of stormwater.
Condemning the spate of structures built on top of drainage channels, the commissioner announced that no effort would be spared to remove such structures to ensure the free flow of water.
“I’ve interacted with the village head and members of the community, and no life was lost. The worst-hit location of the flood on this Nkemba axis was the Church of Christ vicinity, and there was no casualty.”
Also speaking, the Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), Dr Ubong Harrison, said the agency, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, has been monitoring desilting operations across the state in line with Governor Umo Eno’s directive.
Harrison assured residents that the ongoing desilting exercise would improve the free flow of water through drainage systems and help prevent a recurrence of such flooding incidents.
The Chairman of Amitec Construction Limited, Chief Aiman Saimua, handling the desilting project, said the company’s workers are operating intensively to ensure drainage channels are cleared to reduce the risk of future flooding.
He mentioned human activities that caused blockages to gutters, such as houses built on drainage channels, as part of the challenges facing the evacuation of floodwater and assured residents that the state government has authorised the removal of all structures on the drainage channels.
“The first phase of the desilting involves opening up the drains from Olusegun Obasanjo Way through Nkemba to Ikot Ekpene Road, a distance of 4.5 km, from where the further desilting would take place from Ikot Ekpene Road through Udoete to Afaha Oku.”
