Ibeno flood: Stakeholders urge Gov. Eno to fight coastal erosion
Vulnerable groups, including widows and the elderly, are being relocated to safer ground in Ibeno Local Government Area following devastating floods that have split one coastal community in two.
The emergency evacuations come as Atlantic Ocean tides and severe rainfall advance on coastal settlements, prompting local leaders to praise the government’s initial response while pleading for long-term protection against severe ocean surges.
*Gov. Eno
Etim Ekpimah
Vulnerable groups, including widows and the elderly, are being relocated to safer ground in Ibeno Local Government Area following devastating floods that have split one coastal community in two.
The emergency evacuations come as Atlantic Ocean tides and severe rainfall advance on coastal settlements, prompting local leaders to praise the government’s initial response while pleading for long-term protection against severe ocean surges.
The Ibeno Clan Council and local officials have highly commended Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for his swift intervention. Rising water levels recently ravaged several communities in the coastal council, destroying homes, displacing residents and severely disrupting economic activities.
Speaking to journalists in Upenekang on Sunday, the Secretary of the Ibeno Clan Council, Chief Okon Udofia, praised Governor Eno for immediately ordering an on-the-spot assessment and deploying emergency agencies to provide relief.
According to Udofia, the governor’s rapid deployment of the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, the State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), and emergency management agencies (SEMA and NEMA) helped mitigate the initial impact of the disaster.
“The rapid response by Governor Umo Eno clearly demonstrates a leadership style that is compassionate, responsive and people-centred. His intervention brought hope to affected families,” Chief Udofia said.
However, the council warned that heavy rainfall is only a part of the crisis, pointing to the growing threat of ocean surges and coastal erosion threatening communities such as Ntafre, Itak Abasi, Okoritak, Okpo Ita, Iwuo Okpom Opolom, and Akata, the latter of which has been cut in two by advancing waters.
The stakeholders appealed to Governor Eno to expand intervention efforts to tackle ocean encroachment before more land, homes and livelihoods are permanently lost to the sea.
The local government has already aligned with the governor’s newly unveiled statewide flood management strategy, which includes a new drainage master plan and the demolition of structures blocking natural waterways. The Ibeno Clan Council is now calling for a dedicated, localised flood-control framework to address its unique coastal vulnerabilities.
Chief Udofia disclosed that the Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Rt. Hon. Nsikak Ekong has invited the local council and the Ibeno Flood Management Committee to submit formal proposals for sustainable, long-term flood-control projects.
The Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Area, Hon. Glory Ekah Effiong, echoed these sentiments, expressing her profound gratitude to the Governor and reassuring displaced residents that no affected community would be abandoned as humanitarian efforts continue.
Community leaders also extended their thanks to the Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) of Seplat Energy, led by Mr Sam Ekpenyong, for undertaking emergency flood-control measures in Upenekang, Iwuoachang and Mkpanak. Further appreciation was shared for the Red Cross, rescue teams and local volunteers who have supported the ongoing relief operations.
