No fewer than ten communities have been submerged and residents sacked by flood within Uyo metropolis of Akwa Ibom despite government interventions in some parts of the state.
Such communities include Nung Obio Enang along Stadium Road, Urua Ekpa axis, and Afaha Oku villages in Uyo metropolis.
Our correspondent gathered that food has sent residents of Nung Obio Enang community out of their houses as many buildings within the locality have been submerged while landlords and tenants fled from their homes.
The village is located between L& L Hotel along Godswill Akpabio’s International Stadium by Julius Berger yard around Qua Ibom Church Primary School Idoro road in Uyo city.
When our correspondent visited the community more than 32 houses were submerged and residents relocated to houses of their close relatives for safety.
One of the victims Mr Etop Effiong who spoke said the flood has been a perennial problem that has confronted residents in the last 12 years.
According to him, residents of the area experienced flood after the construction of stadium road by Julius Berger during the administration of Senator Godswill Akpabio.
He said the construction firm lifted up the road without drainage to channel the water away from compounds.
“During heavy rainfall and throughout the rainy season, we have to quit our houses to stay with neighbours for one or two weeks before the water dries up in my house.
” This is my predicament and other residents of the area for many years now. This house can collapse anytime”
The wife of the victim simply identified as Eka Esther said she has lost almost all her clothes to the flood each time it occurs especially in the night.
Eka Esther who was visibly crying said the tricycle used by the husband for commercial purposes had been destroyed by the flood.
” Last night I didn’t sleep. Look at my husband’s tricycle there, it has spoilt beyond repairs. We can’t repair it anymore. It was our source of livelihood. Now, no house to live in and no means of livelihood all because of flood.
” Governor Umo please come and rehabilitate us and others, check the flood here because we don’t have anywhere to live with my children throughout this coming rainy season.
Another resident Edem Udotong who lives behind the community primary school said pupils can not walk to their school.
” This morning , I cried for one little girl who fell inside the flood water but I rushed to rescue him . Who knows whether he would have drowned? ”
The youth president of the community Mr Nsikak Eddie has called on Governor Umo Eno to extend his heart of generosity to victims of flood in the community and embark on flood control project in the area.
“My brother please, let Governor Umo Eno show us mercy. The people here have deserted their homes,” he said.
In Afaha Oku villages, more than 50 houses have been carried away by the flood.
The village council therefore appealed to Governor Umoh to intervene as the flood was fast encroaching sliding down some portions of the community.
Effects of the flood are visible along Akan Eton Street and other adjourning streets causing severe hardship and total displacement of residents.
In a letter titled ‘Save Our Souls’ by the village council of Afaha Oku villages signed by Eteidung Emmanuel Eka and secretary, Sipol Cosmos Ebong and made available to our correspondent, the community leaders said the flood has threatened the foundation of the village as other buildings have collapsed.
The village council which is the host community of the University of Uyo therefore passionately appeals to Governor Umo Eno to award the contract to rehabilitate the affected roads for residents to return to their houses.
“We write to remind you of our earlier report to the State Government on the erosion menace affecting Afaha Oku Community in Uyo Local Government Area which has submerged some buildings and many buildings badly threatened to collapse.
“ The worst affected areas are Akpan Eton Street, Nabor Street, and their sojourning streets. Akan Eton Street was motorable but today, it is condemned and turned into a very bad gully with some buildings submerged into it.
One of the affected landlords, Mr Titus Jerome Udoh, a retiree who had vacated his home said his house, located at No8 Akpan Eton Street, off Ekpene Ntan Street was threatened by erosion when a construction company diverted flood water from Urua Ekpa and its environs into Akpan Eton.
“ I was forced out of my house as a result of approaching threat of erosion, which has turned Akpan Eton Street into a ravine, and the entrance of my house was badly affected. Hence, I relocated and stayed with my dependent family members in a rented apartment.
“You can imagine what life has become for me and my dependent relatives in a rented apartment for almost five years now. So please I am appealing to His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno to please, do anything within his power to restore us to our home”.
In Urua Ekpa, residents have experienced perennial floods for many years causing them to relocate to other places while their houses submerged in the flood.
One of the victims who spoke amidst tears said the condition of the area became worse when the state government awarded flood control contract to Benest Engineering; a local vendor who messed up the project and threw the entire Urua Ekpa community into an irredeemable flood.
” The contractor lacks competence, technical know-how, and necessary skills to handle the project.
” The state government could not terminate the contract and re-award it to a more competent vendor.
“Now Urua Ekpa road is impassable while residents have relocated.
“We plead with the state government to come to our rescue and resettle residents of Urua Ekpa community” he lamented.
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