Residents decry Uyo flooding, demand lasting solutions

Persistent flooding triggered by heavy rainfall has left many Uyo residents stranded, renewed concerns over poor drainage and prompted fresh calls for urgent government intervention, writes ETIM EKPIMAH:

Residents of Uyo have called on the Akwa Ibom State Government to urgently tackle the city’s persistent flooding following a downpour that inundated several communities on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, leaving homes and roads submerged, trapping residents indoors and disrupting movement across the state capital.

Journalists and other residents lamented the scale of the flooding, attributing it largely to blocked and poorly maintained drainage systems.

Several parts of Uyo, including Aka Road, Abak Road and Ewet Housing Extension, were severely affected as floodwaters overwhelmed roads, stranded vehicles and prevented many residents from leaving their homes.

Residents urged the government to embark on comprehensive desilting of drains, remove refuse dumped in gutters, improve drainage infrastructure and construct additional channels to direct stormwater away from residential areas.

They warned that unless urgent preventive measures are taken, the city could face even more devastating consequences from future rainfall.

Residents also recalled the death of retired Permanent Secretary and pioneer chairman of Ewet Housing Extension, Mr Anselm Thomas Etuk, who was swept away by floodwaters on 5 July 2025, describing the tragedy as a reminder of the dangers posed by poor drainage and urban flooding.

Speaking on the situation, Aka Road resident Enobong Joseph described the flooding as unacceptable, blaming years of inadequate maintenance of drainage infrastructure.

“It was pitiful that Aka Road, which Godswill Akpabio constructed, could be flooded by such violent speed. The road was supposed to last at least 20 to 25 years before this kind of thing could happen. This happened because there has not been serious maintenance on the road. Many of those sweeping the roads sweep the debris into the gutters straight, thus adding more problems to the road. I was baffled when I looked at Aka Road turning into a mighty river, and people’s houses resembling those houses that were built in the water.

“I don’t see any need for this governor to start vying for a second term in office when he cannot maintain ordinary roads. Akwa Ibom has remained stagnant since Governor Umo Eno assumed office as the governor of Akwa Ibom State. What is the meaning of endorsement?

“I think there used to be a vote; why are the people busy endorsing those to rule over them both at the federal and state levels when we see that their performances are woeful? I need someone to tell me this? I can’t quite understand, as I thought there used to be elections, where those who failed in their first term are voted out. We don’t live in rivers; we came to the city, rent accommodation to live in, not in the sea but on land. I may be dreaming, please tell me,” she said.

A resident of Abak Road, said he lost six goats to the flood, describing the incident as a significant financial setback.

Displaying the carcasses of the animals, he said, “We are not living in a country, but just existing in an environment like a jungle. If you, as a governor, have refused to construct roads, why can’t you maintain the existing ones? The only thing we see you do day and night is going about seeking a second term in office. Nigerians should be wise, at least this time.”

An environmental soil scientist and waste management specialist, Etieno Uko, writing on Facebook, said the rainfall once again exposed Uyo’s long-standing urban flooding challenge.

According to him, many drainage channels had become blocked by indiscriminate waste disposal, with the widespread belief that “the rain will wash it away” continuing to worsen flooding across the city.

“As an environmental soil scientist and waste management specialist, I have studied the complex relationship between soil systems, land use, waste management and environmental sustainability. While climate change has contributed to more intense rainfall events, evidence shows that many of the factors that worsen flooding are human-induced. Poor waste disposal practices, rapid urbanisation, encroachment on natural drainage pathways, inadequate drainage infrastructure and insufficient routine maintenance all combine to reduce the capacity of our environment to safely manage stormwater.

“Our government has an important role to play in flood management, and there have been efforts at different times by the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Board to improve drainage infrastructure and undertake desilting in some locations across Uyo.

“These interventions are commendable and demonstrate recognition of the flooding challenge. However, considering the pace of urban development and the increasing intensity of rainfall, there is a need for sustained, routine and preventive desilting and maintenance of drainage channels, particularly before and throughout the rainy season. Preventive action is often more effective and less costly than responding after flooding has already occurred.”

Earlier this year, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) identified Akwa Ibom as one of the states at risk of flooding in its 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction and urged residents to take precautionary measures.

“We strongly advise members of the public not to walk, drive, or attempt to cross flooded roads or bridges, as floodwaters can be deeper and faster than they appear. Residents should also avoid drainage channels and riverbanks during and after heavy rainfall. Keep drains, gutters, and waterways free of refuse to ensure the free flow of water.

“People are encouraged to stay informed by following official weather forecasts and flood advisories from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and other relevant authorities,” NiMet said.