From Joe Effiong, Uyo
Fifteen coastal local government areas in Akwa Ibom State have been selected for sensitization on risk-reduction measures during flooding in response to the warning by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
The 15 as contained in a statement issued in Uyo on Tuesday by the Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governor’s office, Mr. Nkopuruk Ekaiko are Oron, Mbo, Okobo, Udung Uko, Eastern Obolo, Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin, Onna, Eket, Esit Eket, Ibeno, Urue Offong/Uruko, Itu, Ibiono Ibom and Uruan
The campaign, it was gathered would commence on August 18 in four centres, including Oron, Ibeno, Ikot Abasi and Itu. Consequently, the state government had already flagged off media campaign against harmful environmental practices like dumping of refuse in the drainage.
Ekaiko, who said residents were warned against blocking of drainage such as erection of structures on water channels, explained that other measures taken by the state government to mitigate impact of flooding included design and construction of Dominic Utuk’s main erosion control canal in Uyo.
“It is worthy of note that Akwa Ibom Government had envisaged this situation prior to the ultimate highlight by NiMet, hence the timely engineering design and award of contract.
“The state government had also embarked on aggressive clearing and de-silting of existing drainages and creating of isolated catch pits for collection of water during flooding,” he said.
Akwa Ibom was one of the 11 states NiMet warned of impending flooding this year. Others are Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Kaduna, Kwara, Nasarawa, Yobe and Zamfara.