Uyo Flood: Etido Inyang blames influential persons BY EMMANUEL AKPAN

The Special Adviser to the State Government on Technical Matters, Engr. Etido Inyang has stated that the menace of flooding in Uyo metropolis is caused by some influential persons who have decided to build their houses on floodplains especially at Ewet Housing Estate.
Engr. Etido Inyang hinted this last weekend during his paper presentation titled “Flooding and Flood Control, Akwa Ibom State Example” at the Ibom Tropicana complex, Uyo.

 
He noted that some people build on the floodplains intentionally because of the influence they command and that this act has caused lots of damages to properties and lives. He lauded the present administration’s determination to stop flood in the urban areas by providing road side drainages on the newly constructed roads and advised people not to build on the flood channels to enable the free flow of water in the city of Uyo.

 
The SA who lamented the Uyo metropolis flood challenge which has resulted in some locations of the city being sub-merged, assured residents of the government’s determination and efforts towards arresting the menace, while announcing that a committee headed by him has been set up to review and make recommendations to the challenge.

 
He mentioned some areas intervened by the government to include; completed Itam/Calabar pipe-jacking system which will control Itam junction, Ikot Ekpene road and its environs, completed Uruan street under-drainage which will save Oron road by Uyo High School and part of Ewet Housing Estate, Obio Imo street, Ikot Abasi street and its environs; on-going drainage system through Tropicana to Afaha Ibesikpo to Aka Nung Udoe road, when completed will save Nsikak Edouk, Oron road by Methodist Church, part of Ewet Housing through the newly constructed within Ewet Housing, part of Edet Akpan Avenue, House of Assembly layout, Tropicana and its environs; on-going construction of Ring road 3 discharge drainage will serve the State and federal secretariat complex, IBB, Atiku Abubakar, Atan Offot community, Ukana Offot street, Aka community and its environs; on-going, Dominic outfall which will save Dominic Avenue, Udo Ekpe Street, Udokang street, Utang street, Ekpo Street, Gibbs street and part of Paul Bassey street; on-going Ikpa road outfall which will save Ikpa road, Eka street, part of Ikot Ekpene road, Ibiam stret, Ekpanya street, Itu road and part of Udo Ette street. He used the opportunity to appeal that buildings should not be constructed on designated green areas or unapproved layouts to avoid flooding in the State. Meanwhile, Engr. Etido Inyang, after his presentation led journalists to inspect some sites of the drainage systems constructed by the present administration.