Residents of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, have called on the state government to find a lasting solution to persistent flooding in parts of the city, which has caused the destruction of their properties and sources of their livelihood.
Speaking to Channels Television in Uyo, the affected residents lamented the impact of the rain on their properties and livelihood.
Akwa Ibom is one of the states expected to experience flooding in 2026.
Both the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) listed it among the vulnerable areas in their annual flood outlooks and flash-flood risk alerts.
Specific urban hotspots and vulnerable areas include Uyo, Eket, and Oron.
In response to the predictions, the state government said it has put measures in place to minimise the impact of the rains.
These include regular disilting of existing drains and construction of new ones.
But in spite of these efforts, flash floods have already impacted parts of the state capital.
These include Abak Road, Ewet Housing Estate and Ikot Ekpene Road.
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At Church of Christ along Abak Rd in Iboko Community, Uyo, Michael Ukpeh lamented the deplorable condition faced by the church as the heavy rains pulled down the church fence, allowing a heavy volume of water to submerge the entire church, including the Pastor’s House.
“The flood that came with the rain last night was so heavy that it pulled down the church fence, allowing water to submerge the entire church, including the pastor’s house. I call on the governor to please help us,” Ukpeh said.
Other parts of the city experiencing heavy flooding include Afaha Ube along Ikot Ekpene Road, and the popular Itam market, where Mr Itoro George, Youth President, Afaha Ube community, and Titus Jonathan, a trader, appeal to the government for help.
“Since the contract for this road was awarded, nothing significant has been done here. This poor work is the cause of this present flooding here,” Ube lamaented.
“We call on the governor to change this contractor because he is not capable of doing the job,” Jonathan said.
With many more months of expected rainfall ahead, there is an urgent need for the government and residents to intensify efforts at mitigating the effects of the coming rains.
