Residents of Eket Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom, have lamented widespread flooding caused by heavy rainfall, destroying homes and property worth millions of naira. The residents spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Eket on Sunday, following torrential rainfall across the community. Mrs Elizabeth Akpan, a housewife residing on Mkpok Lane, expressed distress after floodwater submerged her home and destroyed her belongings. Akpan said the disaster occurred after rainfall lasting more than four hours from Saturday night into Sunday. She said the flood destroyed her electronics, kitchen utensils and other household items, while water completely took over her building.
“Flood has destroyed my property worth millions of naira due to the heavy downpour that started yesterday and today,” she cried. Akpan appealed to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to urgently come to her rescue. Another resident, Mrs Mfonobong Bassey of Edem Udoh Street, said floodwater soaked her beddings and destroyed electronics in her sitting room. “My children and I have been scooping water from our rooms, kitchen, toilet and bathroom since 4 a.m.,” she said.
Mr Promise Friday, a businessman, said floodwater destroyed more than 80 bags of POP materials and cement purchased for his building project. Mr Paul Idongesit, a resident of Idua Road, said the flood collapsed his building and destroyed his late wife’s grave. Idongesit appealed to NEMA and other relevant agencies to provide immediate assistance to residents whose homes and properties were destroyed. He also urged the state government to construct larger drainage channels and culverts to reduce flooding and its impacts.
Responding, Mr Akaninyene Tommy, Chairman of Eket Local Government Area, described the flooding as devastating. “The flood is deeply distressing. Homes have been ravaged, properties damaged, and families left to bear the painful consequences,” Tommy said. He said the council visited affected areas to assess the situation and listen to residents facing the consequences of the disaster. Tommy said the council was engaging NEMA and SEMA, while detailed assessments of affected areas were being compiled. He assured affected residents that the council would continue supporting them and work towards ensuring that no family felt abandoned.
The flooding in Eket is a recurring tragedy. The residents have been left to bear the consequences of inadequate drainage and poor urban planning. The government’s response has been reactive rather than preventive. The chairman’s assurance of support is welcome, but the residents need action, not promises. The construction of larger drainage channels and culverts must be prioritised to prevent future disasters.
This echoes the 2022 floods in Akwa Ibom, which also displaced families and destroyed property. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: a failure of infrastructure and a government struggling to respond.
The winners: none. The losers: the residents of Eket, who have lost their homes and properties; and the Nigerian government, which has failed to provide adequate drainage infrastructure.
Bottom Line: Floods have destroyed homes and properties in Eket. The residents are crying for help. The question is whether the government will act or the next flood will bring more devastation.