‘Angry’ flood has claimed the life of a pensioner and destroyed properties worth millions of Naira in some parts of Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, traumatizing many residents and devastating others psychologically.
The deceased identified as Mr. Anselem Thomas Etuk, a retired Director in the state Ministry of Education, lost his life as a result of flooding at Ewet Housing Extension, Uyo.
Etuk who hailed from Ikpe in Ini Local Government Area of the state was said to have been woken up by the ferocious flood, and he escorted his wife out to a nearby son’s house.
According to one of the neighbours, Etuk returned his house that sits on a ravine-like topography to pick his personal effects was greeted by the visiting flood which broke a neighbour’s fence, forcibly seeped into his room and immersed the septuagenarian until he passed away under the rubbles of the overflowing rainwater.
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A source close to the family said the flooding which was caused by the heavy rains which fell Saturday night, prolonging into the early hours of Sunday, covered the late Etuk’s house to roof level.
Afraid of the disappearance of the man, one of the children was said to have called Hensek Construction Company which sent heavy duty truck to pull out the deceased from the rubble on Sunday morning.
Speaking on the scene to XL news correspondent, the first son of the deceased, Anthony Anselem, said the flooding had been a recurrent incident, blaming it on the Bulletine Construction Company that constructed the road that sank in some houses.
Anselem said that at a time, the house had been marked for demolition with the promise of paying compensation to the affected owners, an action which never happened.
On her part, the daughter of the deceased, Emem Ita-Udom, who spoke alongside another resident of the area, said her father had on many occasions, been trying to draw the attention of the government to the unfortunate situation, but to no avail.
Meanwhile, the Divisional Commander, Divisional Fire Service Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Anthony Ekefre, said officers and men were on ground for rescue operation, but that they lacked equipment such as water pumps and had to be assisted by residents who provided water pumps for the operation.
Other areas reportedly affected by the flood include Udotung Ubo Street, Nkemba Street, Nkemba Lane, John Udo Akpan opposite Tropicana Entertainment Centre, Uyo, Wellington Bassey Way End, Aka Itiam by Udo Umana Street, and Aka Itiam Road by Nsikak Eduok Avenue, among others.
Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State government has assured victims of flooded areas in the state of swift intervention and assistance.
The Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Inter-ministerial Flood/Disaster Management Monitoring/Coordinating Committee, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, gave the assurance, Sunday morning, during an on-the-spot assessment of the Ewet Housing Extension flood incidence, following Saturday evening’s heavy downpour.
According to a statement by her media team, Senator Eyakenyi who was conducted round the affected areas by residents, said the state governor, Umo Eno, remains committed to mitigating flood disasters in the state and directed immediate documentation of the victims.
She reminded citizens that there has been an alert by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, about the 2024 flood prediction, and that Akwa Ibom is one of the states highlighted.
According to the Deputy Governor, a committee has been set up to identify areas highlighted to be affected by flood and that the governor has directed that all 31 local government areas be covered.
Senator Eyakenyi pledged that the state government under Pastor Eno will take necessary steps to avert such disasters in the future and assured the affected families of government support.
Already, the Deputy Governor has given residents of the affected area a 21-day ultimatum to relocate to enable government to demolish the houses and provide channel to alleviate the impact of flood anytime rains fall.
Recall that in November 2023, major areas in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, were hit hard by flooding, following a heavy rainfall that lasted for over four hours, submerging homes, destroying properties and posing threats to life.
One of the houses submerged by water was that of the now the late Anselem Etuk of D-Line, Ewet Housing Extension, Eniong Offot.
Speaking exclusively to XL news, the deceased who had been battling to block rainwater from entering his residence lamented that past government paid deaf ears to their pleas.
He has been speaking up concerning the issue until the flood disaster took his life yesterday.
Another resident of the area, Elder Ikopima Ikpeme, said in time past, the residents have drawn the attention of previous governments to the disaster, but none attended to their plight.
Ikpeme who granted the interview in November last year when this similar flood happened appealed to Governor Umo Eno administration to intervene.
Also, residents and shop owners at Nkemba Street off Abak Road, Iboko Offot, Uyo, also lamented the over-flooding of their roads, especially when it rains.
In a exclusive interview with XL news, some residents said the flooded road hinders free and safe movements of goods and persons, but called on the state government to come to their rescue by intentionally desilting the drainages.
In April this year, the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno had set up an Inter-Ministerial Monitoring and Mitigation Committee, in response to the 2024 annual flood outlook released by the Federal Ministry for Water Resources and Sanitation.
The State Commissioner for Information, Ini Ememobong, said the effort by the state to combat flooding was driven by the governor’s deep concern for the welfare of the citizens.
On his part, the State Commissioner for Health, Professor Augustine Umoh, assured that the government’s flood management plans would prioritise the health needs of rural communities.
Deputy Gov tasks UCCDA On building approvals
Already, Akwa Ibom government has tasked the Uyo Capital City Authority (UCCDA) to carefully approve building locations in Uyo to prevent flooding and protect lives and property.
Senator (Dr.) Akon Eyakenyi, the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), stated this during an inspection tour with experts to find permanent solutions to flood-prone areas.
Senator Eyakenyi who visited Osong Ama Estate, which was recently flooded and caused a fatality sympathised with the affected family and castigated residents for building on waterways, which block water flow.
She reminded people about the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook from the Federal Government, saying the state had taken measures to prevent flood damage, asking for public cooperation.
“Certain areas are prone to flooding, but people still build there and block water flow. Akwa Ibom has been warned that it may face floods this year. The Governor has taken steps, like improving the drainage systems at Atiku Abubakar Way and Udoinyang at Brooks Street,” she said.
Areas needing urgent attention include Ewet Housing Extension, Osong Ama Estate, Immanuel Methodist Cathedral, Itiam, and Nsikak Eduok drainage site.
Senator Eyakenyi urged the UCCDA to stop approving buildings on waterways and asked residents with homes in these areas to cooperate with the government for their safety.
She announced that buildings on waterways would be demolished and emphasized that it’s better to relocate and be safe, asking people to keep drainage systems clean.
“The Governor has authorised me to say that any structure blocking waterways will be demolished. It’s better to move and be compensated than to stay in dangerous areas and risk your life. Keep the drainage clean to help prevent flooding,” she said.
Akon gave residents a 21-day ultimatum to leave flood-prone buildings, which will be demolished to save lives, directing the Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency to clear waterways.
“The government will demolish buildings blocking water flow to create proper channels. It’s an emergency, and we have asked residents to leave within 21 days. The government will address these issues,” she assured.
The Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Professor Eno Ibanga, assured that the ministry is ready to act and will report to the Governor if intervention is needed, considering some areas for underground drainage.
The Deputy Governor was accompanied by officials including the Managing Director of Bulletine Construction Company Limited, Chief Faysal Harb, and the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, Obong Prince Ikim.
