Properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed and many rendered homeless following the recent violent windstorm and heavy downpour with attendant flooding in Akwa Ibom State.
The windstorm blew off several rooftops of residential houses, damaged personal effects and uprooted economic trees in Uyo metropolis, Akwa Ibom capital and in some local government areas in the state, while major roads and streets became impassable, thus plunging several families of the less privileged into untold hardships and sufferings.
Straightnews online learnt that the Governor may direct the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) headed by the Deputy Governor, Senator (Dr) Akon Eyakenyi to take inventory of the victims with a view to rendering the needed assistance to cushion their pains.
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Consequently, Governor Umo Eno has sympathised with victims of the natural disasters, and assured that Government would send relief materials to them.
Speaking at the Government House Monthly Prayer Service, held at the Latter House Chapel, Governor’s Lodge, Uyo on Saturday, the Governor used the occasion to warn against indiscriminate refuse disposal and blockage of drainages.
Eno urged citizens and residents in the state to ensure regular desilting of drainages within their vicinity to forestall flood and other ecological disasters.
According to him, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), had projected Akwa Ibom among states that would record the highest number of rainy days in 2025, ranging from 250 to 290 days, with an attendant risk of flooding and spread of cholera.
The Governor said while the State is committed to playing its part to avert the projected disaster, all hands must be on deck too.
“Akwa Ibom has been mentioned as one of the states that will experience flood this year. Therefore, we must prepare.
“Please, clean the drainages around you, and also organize community service for this. Government will embark on desilting of the drainages, but support the effort of government to succeed.”
He equally directed the Ibom Community Watch to map out strategies to monitor and restrain people from indiscriminate dumping of refuse to prevent regular blockage of drainages.
The Governor used the opportunity to invite all citizens to be part of the planned second anniversary inter-denominational thanksgiving service slated for Sunday May 25, 2025 at the International Christian Worship Center, Uyo.
“On the 25th of May, we will have our 2nd anniversary thanksgiving. I am inviting all of you. Let us go out there and thank God for His great wonders – two years of His faithfulness and guidance,” he added.
Earlier in his exhortation, Rev. Peter Omiunu of Flourishing Harvest Int’l Church, preaching on the theme “God of Great Wonders,” taken from Psalm 77:14-20, had admonished the people to continue to trust and believe in God for he is an unfailing God of great wonders. who always turns things around to suit His people.
He charged Christians to have good foundation in God, stressing that whatever God has promised, He shall surely come to pass for their lives and that of generations beyond them.
