Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources has shown that its prepared for the high intensity of rain this year as predicted by Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), by embarking on various flood control interventions in the state.
The Commissioner, Dr. Iniobong Essien made this known in Uyo on Saturday at Ikot Oku Ikono junction, during a monitoring exercise by the Ministry.
According to the Commissioner, “the intervention started since January, 2018 and areas like Akpan Andem Market, Ewet Housing Estate, Unity Park, Udo Udoma Avenue that were flood prone due to blocked drainages have finally been de-silted.”
“A lot of these areas are flood prone and we have discovered overtime that the drains have been siilted and what we are getting is a backlog of water and once there is an interruption in the continuous flow of water, it leads to flooding. We are trying to ensure that we reduce flooding to a minimum; particularly with the prediction from NIMET recently that the intensity of the rains this year will be more. So, we are preparing for the rains,” he explained further.
The Commissioner stressed the importance to free flowing drainages and expressed the hope that the impact of the rains this year will be positive in the state.
He advised residents of the state to desist from the unwholesome practice of dumping refuses into drainages as he pointed out that what were desilted from the blocked drainages, were predominantly leftover food, domestic waste, metals and bottles.
Dr. Essien also charged residents to add value to what the government is doing by indulging in positive activities that would lead to cleaner environment and enhance the beautiful ambience of the state.
