Residents of Oku Abak and neighbouring communities in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have raised serious concerns over an impending environmental and infrastructural disaster, warning that large portions of the area could cave in if urgent action is not taken to fix a long-abandoned drainage project.
The multi-million-naira project, initiated during the administration of former Governor Godswill Akpabio, was designed to control floodwaters around the Abak Bridge and adjoining communities.
However, investigations reveal that the project was abandoned by Julius Berger Construction Company after the completion of a suspended flyover bridge, leaving beneath it an incomplete tunnel drainage system meant to channel water into a nearby stream.
Community leaders say the abandoned drainage has since become a major hazard.
Comrade Ifiok Jeremiah, a youth leader from the nearby Ediene community, warned that the failed infrastructure poses a grave threat to lives and property.
“What was conceived as a flood-control and erosion-mitigation project has now degenerated into a serious danger,” he said.
“This abandoned drainage system can trigger one of the worst avoidable ecological and infrastructural disasters in Akwa Ibom State.”
According to residents, years of unchecked water flow have caused severe erosion, with deep gullies cutting through surrounding land. The advancing erosion is now threatening key public and private facilities, including the Abak Local Government Council Secretariat, Holy Family College, Independence Hall, Tilapia Island Resort, and vast stretches of farmland.
Another resident, Mr. Abasiofiok Ekong, lamented the loss of agricultural land and livelihoods. “Large portions of farmland have already been washed away.This is affecting food production and household income across the area,” he said.
Residents say the danger intensifies during every rainy season, as weakened foundations and narrowed access roads continue to give way under persistent flood pressure.
A staff member at Tilapia Island Resort, located under the suspended bridge, noted that despite the visible deterioration, no comprehensive remedial work has been carried out on the abandoned drainage system.
It was also gathered that affected landowners have repeatedly appealed to the Akwa Ibom State Government, under Governor Pastor Umo Eno, to intervene or compel the contractor to return to site and complete the project.
However, they say no meaningful response has been received.
“These appeals were born out of desperation,” some landowners explained. “The damage has gone beyond what individuals can handle.”
Read also:
- Asin of Oka-Odo gets Staff of Office, after 117 years of tussle
- Alleged Assault: I kept going back because Giggs promised the world, Greville tells Jury
- Osinbajo meets with APC state chairmen
Engineer Imeh Etukudoh, one of the affected landowners, described the situation as a public emergency.
“This erosion is threatening government facilities, schools, businesses, and farms. If the bridge or any of these structures fails, the consequences will be severe and irreversible,” he warned.
A senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that several attempts had been made over the years to get the construction company to address the deteriorating drainage infrastructure, without success.
“All efforts to get the company back to site proved abortive,” the official said, describing the abandonment as a failure of contractor responsibility and enforcement.
“What could have been a manageable engineering issue has now escalated into a full-blown environmental threat.”
Despite growing frustration, community members remain hopeful that the current administration will act.
Community advocate Etim Akpan expressed confidence in Governor Umo Eno, describing him as “a God-fearing and peace-loving leader who will not ignore a crisis that endangers public safety and government assets.”
Residents argue that the situation exposes deeper systemic problems, including weak project monitoring, poor enforcement of contractual obligations, and a culture that allows contractors to abandon critical infrastructure without consequences.
They are calling for an immediate technical assessment of the drainage system, emergency erosion-control measures, and a transparent review of the original contract, including sanctions for abandonment and substandard execution.
With the 2026/2027 rainy season approaching, residents warn that continued delay could turn negligence into tragedy, as erosion continues to undermine the land supporting the Abak Bridge.
For them, the matter has moved beyond assigning blame. “This is about urgency, accountability, and decisive action to stop a disaster that is already unfolding in slow motion,” they said.
