Stakeholders in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have commended Governor Umo Eno, for his prompt response to the recent flooding that devastated several communities, destroyed homes, displaced residents and disrupted economic activities.
The commendation came from the Ibeno Clan Council and other community leaders, who described the governor’s intervention as timely, compassionate and a reflection of his administration’s commitment to protecting vulnerable communities.
Speaking with journalists in Upenekang on Sunday, Secretary of the Ibeno Clan Council, Chief Okon Udofia, said Governor Eno acted swiftly by ordering an immediate assessment of affected communities and directing relevant government agencies to provide relief materials and emergency support to victims.
According to him, the coordinated intervention by the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other response teams helped reduce the impact of the disaster.
“The rapid response by Governor Umo Eno demonstrates compassionate, responsive and people-centred leadership. His intervention restored hope to affected families and reassured our people that government stands with them during this difficult period,” Udofia said.
The council also praised the Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) of Seplat Energy, led by Mr. Sam Ekpenyong, for carrying out emergency flood-control works in Upenekang, Iwuoachang, Mkpanak and other flood-prone communities.
Udofia noted that the emergency measures helped contain the flooding despite heavy rainfall and rising water levels experienced in recent weeks.
The endorsement comes as Governor Eno recently unveiled a comprehensive flood management strategy for Akwa Ibom State, featuring a new flood and drainage master plan, the establishment of a specialised environmental task force, stricter enforcement of monthly environmental sanitation and the removal of structures obstructing natural drainage channels.
Describing the initiative as bold and forward-looking, the stakeholders urged the state government to develop a dedicated flood-control master plan for Ibeno to address the area’s unique environmental challenges while aligning with the state’s broader flood management agenda.
Udofia disclosed that the Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Nsikak Ekong, had encouraged the Ibeno Local Government Council and the Ibeno Flood Management Committee to submit proposals for emergency interventions and long-term flood-control projects.
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He added that the commissioner acknowledged the urgency of the environmental situation in Ibeno and assured stakeholders of the government’s support in developing a sustainable flood-control blueprint for the area.
Beyond the recent flooding, community leaders also expressed concern over the increasing threat of ocean surge and coastal erosion affecting communities including Akata, Ntafre, Itak Abasi, Okoritak, Okpo Ita and Iwuo Okpom Opolom.
They warned that rising Atlantic Ocean tides continue to endanger lives and livelihoods, noting that Akata community has reportedly been split into two by advancing waters, leaving parts of the settlement inaccessible.
The stakeholders appealed to Governor Eno to expand intervention efforts to coastal communities threatened by erosion and ocean encroachment in order to prevent further loss of land, homes and means of livelihood.
Also speaking, Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Area, Mrs. Glory Effiong, expressed appreciation to the governor for ordering the immediate assessment of affected communities, describing the action as another example of responsive governance.
She assured residents that no affected community would be neglected, revealing that vulnerable groups, including widows, elderly persons and severely affected families, were being relocated to safer locations while additional humanitarian interventions were being coordinated.
