Windstorm, Floods Kill Motorcyclist, Displace Residents In Akwa Ibom

Persistent downpours accompanied by windstorms have wreaked havoc in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, and neighbouring local government areas, including Itu, Ibesikpo Asutan and Eket, with floods submerging homes, destroying property and displacing residents, while at least one person has been killed.

The latest tragedy, according to checks by LEADERSHIP occurred in the early hours of Thursday when a heavy downpour accompanied by a windstorm uprooted a tree along the major Abak-Uyo Road and crushed a commercial motorcyclist, killing him instantly.

The incident occurred around the Cultural Centre axis of Abak Road, near the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH).

A bystander who witnessed the incident said the victim was travelling on the motorcycle when the tree suddenly fell on him.

“The incident happened in the morning hours on Abak Road, directly opposite the Cultural Centre. A tree fell and the rider lost his life on the spot. He had only left home for his daily business,” the witness, who was waiting to board a minibus to Ibom Plaza in Uyo city centre, said.

Another eyewitness, Mrs Ekaette Ukpong, described the incident as devastating and blamed it on what she called poor maintenance of trees and other environmental infrastructure by relevant government agencies.

She said it was tragic that the young man left home to make a living but never returned to his family.

“It is devastating and sad that a young man bade his family goodbye and went out to hustle, but oblivious of the waiting accident that would bar his returning home alive,” Ukpong said.

A sympathiser, Ibok Udoma, also raised concerns over the age of trees lining major roads in the state capital, saying some were planted decades ago and may no longer be strong enough to withstand increasingly severe weather conditions.

“Some of these trees were planted since the administration of former Governor, Obong Victor Attah, in 1999, yet subsequent administrations operated with no routine checks to know how many of them can still stand the test of time, given the new climate change order,” Udoma said.

He also criticised the persistent flooding along Abak Road and other major streets in Uyo, urging the authorities to take more proactive measures to prevent flooding and remove trees that pose risks to residents and commuters.

Udoma specifically called for stronger action by the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), saying blocked drainage systems and weakened trees had continued to pose dangers during heavy rainfall.

“We have the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), an agency chaired by a young man, Prince Akpan Ikim, yet each time it rains, the entire stretch of Abak Road and other major streets in the capital would remain covered with flood.

“The trees are old and some are weakened from the base by the menacing flood waters. And, I am sure the one that collapsed on the motorcyclist had since been weakened by age,” he said.

He urged relevant ministries, departments and agencies, particularly the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to strengthen coordination and emergency preparedness to protect residents from recurring floods and weather-related disasters.

Similarly, Chief Aniefiok Iko, a community leader in Uyo, and Otuekong Franklin Isong, Director of the Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), attributed the recurring flood disasters in the state partly to the failure of authorities and residents to adequately respond to early warning alerts.

Isong said federal agencies, including the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, had previously identified Akwa Ibom among the states expected to experience significant impacts from heavy rainfall.

“The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Federal Ministry of Water Resources and other federal agencies had listed Akwa Ibom as one of the states to be most impacted by the surging rains,” he recalled.

He, however, regretted that the warnings were not adequately acted upon to prevent or reduce the impact of the disasters.

The identity of the deceased motorcyclist had not been established as of the time of filing the report.

Sympathisers called on security agencies to investigate the incident and establish the identity of the victim to enable his family to be located and possibly assisted by the government.

“My heart and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this painful time. May his soul rest in peace,” a sympathiser and fellow motorcyclist, Usoekong Emmanuel, said.