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| Hon. Enobong Uwah, Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources |
“I’ve lived here all my life... this is my father’s compound. We have lived at the mercy of flood for many years here. Whenever it rains, this whole area is ravaged and overwhelmed by flood. Shops and residential areas are not spared of it rage as the usual experience is that of destruction of so many things ranging from goods and home appliances. We are suffering here”.
The foregoing was a lamentation from an elderly woman named Mrs. Nancy Archibong who occupies what can be described as an expansive compound in Nsentip Street. She spoke passionately but in a tone laden with pain and grief.
According to her, “we have been left to writhe in perpetual agony in Nsentip and Iman Street due to the massive flooding that has become a second nature to us over the years. We have had to more often than not, scoop out rainwater from our rooms after every downpour. It’s one sad occurrence we have lived with for so many years in this area, it’s only during the dry season that we have peace here, but during the rainy season, it’s like a living hell for us”. When asked how long it takes the area to dry when it pours, she said “the reason it seems the flooding does not stay for long periods is because youths of the area had mobilized themselves to dredge the gutters which enables water to flow freely thereby not allowing for the area to be perpetually flooded.
She added that if the youths do not do that, the area would be ravaged with flood for a prolonged period. “Whenever there’s a torrential downpour, this street is impassable, nothing works, no business, no going out for up to 6 hours or more, all because the rampaging flood gathers here (pointing at a deep gully) and remains there for weeks. Apart from the flood crippling movement and the economy of this area, it has also caused countless damages to residential homes. There are times it flows into our homes destroying appliances and other valuables like my foam which was soaked and too many other things I can’t name”.
She pointed out further that there have been instances where some journalists have come with cameras especially during one of such ugly scenes to have a first-hand feel of what they have been facing in the area. She expressed her displeasure over the State of Nsentip and Iman Streets more so, the fact that one of the adjoining streets, Ibesikpo was worked on without Nsentip getting a look-in whatsoever.
On the poor sanitary condition of the area, she said that the youths only sanitize the streets on their own volition when it suits them and not on anybody’s compulsion. “They only work when they like and anyhow they want. At times, they fill the cracked portions of the streets with sand and mud in a bid to mitigate the depressing and suffocating fate that has befallen us here. When the impeding rainy season sets in, it’s going to be another tale of anguish except government does something urgent to arrest the situation. If it remains this way, then we are in for another round of misery where pedestrians go through excruciating experience negotiating their way past the stagnant and stinking flood which motorists and other commuters waddle through with sheer bravado.
“Look at this building (pointing to her decrepit house), the rooms have been deserted because no tenants wants to live in this kind of situation or environment. Those who occupied these rooms have all left and people rarely come here to look for house. Those who come immediately take a walk on seeing the poor state of Nsentip. I plead the government to hearken to our yearnings since God has placed them in such a position to oversee the affairs of the people. We know they will continue with their good works by graciously extending similar gesture to Nsentip Street and its surrounding streets”. She stated.
Nick Akpan who lives in Iman Street decried the debilitating fate they have had to put up with for donkey years. “Whenever it rains, you can’t drive in or go out and the flood remains immoveable for weeks thereby, stalling movement. Those who have cars park them elsewhere and manage to trudge on foot into their houses. Government should come to our aid because here, mosquito is our best neighbour. The situation has been like this since the days of my forefathers... many household properties have been lost to flood. Our efforts to reach the governments over the years have yielded no fruits and the situation has become unbearable for residents. I have lost my phone, television and other valuables to flood. This is part of Uyo, the so-called Akwa Ibom ‘Ado ok’ but nothing in this street lends credence to it”. He submitted.
Another resident who did not give his name corroborated Nicky’s position this way: “the youths got angry and have stopped cutting the grass saying, it’s under government hence they should do it not them, all we do now is just to keep our surroundings clean and no longer all youths coming out to work in unison. Look at this building (pointing to a ramshackle house), it’s the rains that have rendered it that way and has also cracked the walls of many others forcing those who lived here to pack out and has also prompted the erection of perimeter fences all in a bid to ward off the rampaging flood yet all to no avail. The flood have still found its way to cause its havoc”.
He called on the government to commence work on the streets so that they can also enjoy the uncommon transformation wind blowing across the State. The only church building in the area looked wearied and thoroughly scourged by the ravages of flood as most of the painting had gone off rendering the place of worship ‘ugly’ and unattractive for worshippers and faithfuls alike.
The story of the same massive flooding engulfing Atiku Abubakar is no longer a new tale to residents, motorists and pedestrians in that area. The area is said to be impassable whenever it rains in torrents. Inhabitants of this axis in Uyo have gone through narrow experiences owing to flood and it damaging effects.
This reporter spoke to one Uko who lives along Atiku Abubakar Way and these were his words: “whenever it rains here the road, from JAMB office to this MTN office, is water logged. Infact, when it rains, economic and social activities come to a standstill, even the Old Ring Road is not spared by the flood as nothing enters or goes out of that road during rainfall. This Block Industry normally bear much of the devastation because their products are often destroyed by flood. We really need urgent intervention here. When the first rain poured out this year, vehicles numbering about five were all stuck in the flood as they could not continue their journey. This tree (pointing at a mango tree) was felled by the flood; an MTN mast also went down and landed on a storey building on account of the flood. I do offer a helping hand to those who take the trouble to pass through this road when it rains because I know the terrain so well. Those who don’t know this terrain dare not come here when it rains because such move could lead to disaster as one would not know where a deep hole or gutter is. I urge the government to put us in mind because this road has been like this from inception”. He submitted. The only redeeming feature according to him is that it takes little or no time for the water to dry up after a heavy downpour.
Mr. Enobong, who works in a ‘car wash’ outlet in Atiku Abubakar had this to say: “when it rains, this our business premises is not accessible by customers because it is not safe for those who may want to purchase one thing or the other.
The flood usually overwhelms the whole place such that we have to close for the day and return in the evening or the next day. I call on the government to improve on the drainage system so that things can move on smoothly here”.
A female roadside trader who did not want her name in print mentioned that business collapses totally when it rains as there are no customers to buy goods and they also scamper for shelter from the flood.
At Nsikak Edouk Avenue by ‘Four Lane’, the ravine that collects water, is also said to ignite the flood which halts movement totally, a keke rider explained it this way: “when this place (ravine) overflows, it rushes to the road, and when that happens, everything is at a standstill as commuters often make a U-turn on approaching the frightening flood. It also affects those residing around this environment so much that some residents have deserted their apartments. Government should construct a good drainage channel for the water to flow along that line and not cause havoc for commuters”. He concluded.
The devastating flood has also made it way to Ukana Offot and it adjoining streets. Those who have plied this terrain when it rains can relay their experience. Residents of the area and other streets therein have had to endure the rage of flood so much that most of the residents have devised a subtle means of wading through the river-like flood.
This reporter was jolted to his marrows at Urua Ekpa. The sight of heaps of refuse, the offensive stench and the general sanitary condition of the streets left nothing to be desired. The streets have been deserted by commuters due to the massive flood which have brought pain, sickness and tears to residents and, a decline in economic activities. A resident, named Endy, ‘tired’ of the reoccurrence of flood in the street spoke with this reporter: “this water (the flood) have been here since last year because the road is not good especially at the next junction. We have been seriously affected by this water as it often times enters our houses leaving many of our properties damaged. This warehouse (pointing to a line of shops) is where I pack my goods and it’s more often than not, affected by flood. The problem we have here is gutter; the ones here are too shallow hence its quickness to overflow easily when it rains. This water has particularly crippled business and put residents at risk of devastating proportions”.
A business woman in Urua Ekpa who spoke with this reporter after much persuasions and entreaties posited that they have not felt the government’s presence in the area. Her daughter who was reading avidly thundered in: “this water is causing air pollution and all manner of diseases to the residents and it has led to poor sales because customers are afraid of the water”. She added with a tinge of sadness on her face. She added that keke are not passing through the road again and that the situation has been the same for the past three (3) years. Her mom, wearing a dull expression summoned courage and relayed her experience like this: “no market, no money, we are suffering here, we are hungry, we are sick”. She also narrated how flood destroyed her goods and especially her hair dryer and other valuables. “Everywhere was flooded when it rained in February and some people came with cameras to take photographs and many other things, and since then nothing has been done about the situation. I have lived and done business here for over 5 years and our fate have been that of gloom and doom”. She concluded.
Another seller who gave her name as Deborah had this to say: “I have lived here since year 2000 and this water have been the same but was worse at that time. I came here during the dry season so; I did not know that it’s like this. I built this shop with my money that’s why I can’t leave because if it was a rented shop, I would have left since. That’s why I have resolutely remained here in spite of the poor condition. When it rains, we have no place to run to because nowhere is safe as every street is overtaken by flood. Whenever the sky turns dark, fear grips us because of the devastation that comes with the rainfall. We don’t have light (power supply) in Urua Ekpa, it has been this way since December 2013. Most residents have left the area thus; most of the area is snake-infested and also riddled with snails and other animals that pose threat to human life. Infact, this is not water but a river where swimmers can always come and have fun.” She said sarcastically. Indeed, Mrs. Deborah cut a pitiable sight as she wore a gloomy look throughout her interaction with this reporter. It is a sad tale for residents of Urua Ekpa road who have been practically cut off from development. Many things are grossly lacking there-in apart from the flood which have become an unwelcomed visitor that often leaves in its wake, tears, doom and heartache.
All those who spoke with this reporter were unanimous in reliving the plight that has befallen them at Urua Ekpa.
In as much as the State Government have made concrete efforts to end flooding in the State with the ‘uncommon’ underground pipe drainage system, touted as the first in West Africa, it is germane that the government doubles her efforts in order to save citizens from being submerged by flood with the rainy season looming.
The roads and streets mentioned in this piece are just a fraction of the havoc flood has caused for some people.
Since the present administration is one that is so passionate about the people and with a burning desire to transform the State into a Dubai of Africa, it is hoped that those ravaged by the flood will be attended to with the urgency and practicality it deserves.
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