Akwa Ibom Residents Cry Out Over Failed N6.1bn Flood Project

Residents of Atiku Abubakar Way on the Uyo metropolis, Akwa Ibom State and its environs have appealed to the Governor Umo Eno-led administration for rescue operation from perennial flood.

LEADERSHIP gathered that consistent torrential rains predicted by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) to hit the state between 250 and 290 days, have wreaked havocs in most parts of the state, especially the capital and the adjoining Itam in Itu local government area.

Besides, most internal roads in Uyo, the state capital including Itiam, Barracks Road leading to Government House, parts of Ikpa Road, Ntak Inyang, and the Akwa Ibom axis of Calabar-Itu Road, have caved in to the devastating flood waters.

The worst affected is Atiku Abubakar Way where residents lamented the loss of valuables as homes have been destroyed by the rains as the flood intervention project launched in 2023 to tackle the menace appears to have been overwhelmed due to lack of carrying capacity.

Effiong Okon Udoma, and Alice Isong, victims of the flood whose homes were over ran by the recent flood, with properties swept away, lamented that “we are in a fixed on how to salvage our belongings and to relocate.”

Our Correspondent learnt the flood intervention project despite its completion and inauguration in April 2024, the menace has persisted in the area, particularly around the flyover, creating nightmare for residents, motorists and commuters.

The project involved constructing a 1.3km underground discharge drain from Atiku Abubakar Avenue to Olusegun Obasanjo Way, with an initial budget of N3.3 billion in 2023, N500 million in 2024 and N2.8 billion in 2025.

“Despite the inauguration fanfare, residents and vehicles continue to struggle with flooding on the road during rainfall. Vehicles still find it difficult to access this road from Itam anytime it rains, and the tricycles’ only choice is to drive on the pavements,” notes Akan Denis, a local resident.

Although the flood challenge around Afaha Ube axis of Atiku Abubukar Avenue down the Secretariat roundabout has been contained, the experience around the flyover area raise questions about the project’s overall effectiveness.

“The government’s decision to allocate another N2.8 billion for the same project in 2025 has sparked yet another concern about the project’s impact and its target. The Government simply need to revisit this project and handle it properly.

“The N6.1bn voted within three fiscal years on the project is more than enough to address the entire stretch of Atiku Abubukar times two,” Ekemini Simon, a civil society advocate, warned.