Akwa Ibom Residents Count Losses As Flood Devastates Communities

Residents of several communities in Akwa Ibom State are counting heavy losses after floodwaters submerged homes, destroyed businesses and displaced families following days of heavy rainfall.

Communities including Abak Road, Nkemba, Iboko Offot, Ukana Offot, Nwaniba, Ekamba Nsukara, Nsukara Offot, Idoro Road, Calabar-Itu Road and Ikot Ekpene Road were among the worst affected as floodwaters cut off access roads and disrupted daily activities.

Affected residents blamed the recurring flooding on blocked drainage channels clogged with refuse and silt, alleging that repeated appeals to clear the waterways over the past two years received little attention. They called on the Akwa Ibom State Government, the Ministry of Environment and the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency to urgently clear blocked drains and implement sustainable flood control measures.

The residents’ appeal comes as the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) listed Akwa Ibom among states at risk of flash flooding, warning that continued rainfall and saturated ground could worsen flooding, especially in low-lying communities. The agency also advised residents to keep drainage channels free of refuse, monitor weather forecasts and avoid walking or driving through floodwaters.

Residents say while emergency relief is important, long-term solutions are needed to prevent communities from experiencing similar devastation during every rainy season.