Following the perennial flooding and destruction of properties in Akwa Ibom State, Governor Pastor Umo Eno has ordered the Ministry of Environment to come up with a new flood and drainage master plan to address the issue.
He added that the state’s existing flood management blueprint no longer reflects the realities of rapid urbanisation and expanding infrastructure.
The governor, who disclosed this while speaking to journalists after an unscheduled inspection tour of the Judiciary Staff Quarters project in Uyo, also ordered the demolition of all structures obstructing natural drainage channels, regardless of ownership, status or previous approvals.
He also announced the establishment of the Clean Akwa Ibom Brigade, a dedicated unit under the Ministry of Environment that will focus on keeping drainage channels free of obstructions and ensuring effective flood control.
The governor said he has directed the Ministry of Environment, the State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, and the Office of the Attorney-General to establish Environmental Sanitation Courts to prosecute offenders who violate sanitation regulations.
Rather than relying solely on monetary penalties, he said the courts would impose community service on offenders, requiring them to participate in environmental clean-up activities, particularly the clearing of blocked drains.
“We need to have a state flood and drainage master plan. The one we have is old. There are new developments that have taken place. We are bringing all our experts together and will develop the state flood master plan so that we can use it,” he said.
On the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, the governor declared that movement would be prohibited across the state on the last Saturday of every month between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., warning that ceremonies, commercial activities and even arriving travellers would not be exempted from the restriction until the sanitation exercise had been concluded.
On the Judiciary Staff Quarters project, he expressed displeasure over the laxity and nonchalant attitude of the contractors handling the project, saying it was unacceptable for project sites to be deserted by contractors and their workers during peak working hours.