Sunday July 19, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng
Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has inspected communities ravaged by flooding and promised to develop a new drainage master plan to tackle the flood menace in the state.
The Uyo metropolis was submerged by flooding a few days ago following torrential rainfall that hit the city, rendering families homeless and making several streets impassable.
Governor Eno, during his inspection of the worst-hit areas, expressed sympathy for residents affected by the flooding and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to implementing lasting flood control measures.
During the inspection, Eno visited drainage systems and flood-prone locations where he had earlier directed contractors to commence immediate desilting and channel-clearance operations to restore the free flow of stormwater.
Speaking with journalists, Eno described the flooding as a natural occurrence but noted that human activities had worsened the situation.
“This is not entirely a man-made disaster, but we have complicated the situation ourselves by blocking natural waterways and drainage channels.”
He urged residents to desist from indiscriminate waste disposal and encroachment on water-flow channels.
Eno had earlier inspected the underground drainage system along Ikot Ekpene Road at the Itam Junction axis, where he received briefings from government officials and contractors handling the emergency flood intervention exercise.
He also inspected the Nkemba drainage channel, which was intended to evacuate floodwater from Port Harcourt Street, Uwa Street, and adjoining neighbourhoods.
The inspection continued to the Akpan Essien–Akpan Udosen axis, where desilting operations are ongoing to improve water flow.
At Asung Ama Housing Estate Extension, one of the communities affected by the flooding, Eno sympathised with residents and assured them of immediate government intervention, as well as permanent engineering solutions to the recurring flooding.
He disclosed that the government would review the state’s Drainage Master Plan to align it with current realities and guide future flood-mitigation projects.
