A’Ibom, World Bank budget N19bn to tackle floods in three LGs

THE Akwa Ibom state government, working in partnership with the World Bank (WB), has earmarked N19 billion to tackle flooding in three local government areas worst affected by the menace.

Disclosing this at the weekend, the Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Dr. Iniobong Essien, said the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel, was committed to addressing the perennial issues of flooding that had brought untold hardships to residents of the state.

The affected areas include the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida  Way in Uyo Local Government Area, stretching towards Ibesikpo and Nsit Ibom local government areas.

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To underscore the seriousness of the state government, Essien said, “the state government has already paid its counterpart funds for the project”, noting that, “even if that is the only project the governor is going to do in his second term, the government is fully committed to doing it.”

The project, according to Essien, would ensure the de-flooding of the state civil service secretariat at Idongesit Nkanga; Esuene Street axis of the IBB Way and other adjoining areas of the Uyo metropolis.

“The government is seriously concerned about the problem and is heavily committed to address the flooding problem covering about 7.5 kilometres from the IBB Way in Uyo to Ibesikpo Asutan and Nsit Ibom local government areas,” he said.

“The design for the project has already been done and consultations concluded with the World Bank and other consultants,” he added.