Stakeholders in Ibeno Local Government Area have praised Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for his quick response to the recent flooding that affected many communities in the area. The flood destroyed houses, forced many families to leave their homes, and disrupted businesses and daily activities.
Speaking with journalists in Upenekang on Sunday, the Secretary of the Ibeno Clan Council, Chief Okon Udofia, said the Governor acted immediately by ordering an inspection of the affected communities. He also directed the relevant government agencies to provide relief materials and support to those affected by the disaster.
Chief Udofia said the Governor’s prompt action through the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other agencies helped reduce the impact of the flooding.
The Council also thanked the Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) of Seplat Energy, led by Mr. Sam Ekpenyong, for carrying out emergency flood-control work in Upenekang, Iwuoachang, Mkpanak, and other communities that are often affected by floods.
The stakeholders’ praise comes shortly after Governor Eno announced a major flood management plan for Akwa Ibom State. The plan includes preparing a new flood and drainage master plan, creating a special environmental task force, enforcing monthly environmental sanitation, and removing buildings that block natural drainage channels.
The stakeholders described these steps as bold and important for reducing flooding across the state. They also appealed to the government to prepare a special flood-control plan for Ibeno Local Government Area because of its unique environmental challenges and include it in the state’s overall flood management programme.
Chief Udofia also revealed that the Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Rt. Hon. Nsikak Ekong, encouraged the local government and the Ibeno Flood Management Committee to submit proposals for emergency projects and long-term flood-control solutions.
Apart from flooding caused by heavy rainfall, the stakeholders raised concern over the increasing problem of ocean surge and coastal erosion affecting communities such as Akata, Ntafre, Itak Abasi, Okoritak, Okpo Ita, and Iwuo Okpom Opolom.
According to the Council, the rising Atlantic Ocean has continued to wash away parts of the coastline, threatening homes and communities. They said Akata community has already been divided into two parts, making movement within the community very difficult.
The stakeholders appealed to Governor Eno to also extend government support to communities facing coastal erosion and ocean encroachment to prevent further loss of land, homes, and people’s means of livelihood.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Area, Hon. (Mrs.) Glory Ekah Effiong, thanked Governor Eno for ordering an immediate assessment of the affected communities.
She said the Governor’s quick response shows that his administration cares about the welfare of the people. She assured residents that no affected community would be left without support.
Mrs. Effiong also disclosed that widows, elderly people, and families badly affected by the flooding are being moved to safer places as part of the emergency response, while the government continues to coordinate more relief and recovery efforts.
