Residents in parts of Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, have fled their homes after heavy downpours submerged houses and rendered many families homeless.
The affected communities include Nung Obio Enang along Stadium Road, Urua Ekpa axis, Afaha Oku villages and Udo Usanga streets in Uyo metropolis. Reports indicate that at least 500 residents have been displaced, with houses and businesses submerged by floodwater.
Speaking to reporters, a resident of Nung Obio Enang, Mr Etop Effiong, said more than 32 houses have been submerged while residents have relocated to nearby houses to avoid further disaster. “During heavy rainfall and throughout the rainy season, we have to quit our houses to stay with neighbours for one or two weeks before water dries up in my houses. This is my predicament and other residents of the area for many years now. This house can collapse anytime,” he said.
Eka Esther, wife of another victim, said she had lost almost all her clothes to the flood, and her husband’s tricycle was destroyed. “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 the 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,” she said.
The flood also submerged the residence and palace of the village head of the affected area, Chief Okon Mkpong. Mkpong told newsmen that the flood sacked him from his palace and that it was beyond what the village could handle. “The community has written to governments. Till date, nothing has happened. Since 1999, nothing has happened. If it was possible, the community would have addressed the problem. It is difficult for us. Governor Udom Emmanuel should come and help us,” he said.
A trader who identified herself as Mercy expressed displeasure that the flood sacked many residents and crippled their businesses. She said students of the University of Uyo, who were the majority of tenants, as well as traders had already left to safe locations. She attributed the flooding to the construction of new roads like Udoette, UNIUYO and Itam Market areas.
Another resident, Titus Sunday, said anytime it rains his room gets flooded and he has nowhere to relocate. “My room is flooded anytime it rains. When it rains like two or three hours, we relocate from our rooms. If you were here on Monday when it rained, you will not come up to this point,” he said.
Residents have called on the state government to intervene urgently to address the perennial flooding that has plagued the communities for years.
