Flood has devastated parts of Eket Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, submerging homes, displacing families and destroying property worth millions of naira.
A devastating flood has submerged homes and destroyed property worth millions of naira across several communities in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State following days of torrential rainfall.
Residents told newsmen in Eket on Sunday that heavy rainfall lasting several hours had overwhelmed drainage systems, forcing families from their homes and damaging household belongings, buildings and business materials.
The affected areas include Ediam Road, Edohoeket Street, Idua Road, Afaha-Eket Road, All Weather Road, Ikot Udoma, Mkpok Lane and Eket-Oron Road. Reports from the affected communities said some buildings were damaged or collapsed, while several families were forced to seek alternative accommodation.
Mrs Elizabeth Akpan, a resident of Mkpok Lane, said floodwater completely overwhelmed her home after heavy rainfall from Saturday night into Sunday.
She said her electronics, kitchen utensils and other household items were destroyed, while the floodwater took over the building.
“Flood has destroyed my property worth millions of naira due to the heavy downpour that started yesterday and today,” she said, appealing to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Akwa Ibom State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for urgent assistance.
Another resident, Mrs Mfonobong Bassey of Edem Udoh Street, said she and her children began scooping water from their rooms and other parts of the house as early as 4 a.m.
“My children and I have been scooping water from our rooms, kitchen, toilet and bathroom since 4 a.m.,” she said.
The flooding also caused substantial losses to residents engaged in building and business activities.
A businessman, Mr Promise Friday, said floodwater destroyed more than 80 bags of POP materials and cement purchased for an ongoing building project, alongside other belongings in his apartment. Similar reports from the affected areas indicated widespread damage to household and business property.
Mr Paul Idongesit, a resident of Idua Road, said the flood collapsed his building and damaged the grave of his late wife.
He called for immediate intervention from NEMA, SEMA and the Akwa Ibom State Government, while urging authorities to construct larger drainage channels and culverts to reduce the impact of recurring flooding.
Residents also appealed to development partners, including the World Bank, to support affected communities and assist in addressing the infrastructure and environmental challenges contributing to the recurring disaster.
The Chairman of Eket Local Government Area, Mr Akaninyene Tommy, described the situation as devastating, saying the council had visited affected areas to assess the extent of the damage and hear directly from residents.
“The flood is deeply distressing. Homes have been ravaged, properties damaged, and families left to bear the painful consequences,” Tommy said.
He said the council was engaging NEMA and SEMA while compiling detailed assessments of affected areas for submission to the relevant authorities to facilitate timely intervention.
“We visited the affected areas to see the situation firsthand, listen to our people, and assess the extent of the damage. What we witnessed was heartbreaking, and we recognise the urgency of the situation,” he said.
Tommy also appreciated individuals who had provided support and solidarity to affected residents, assuring victims that the council would continue to work with relevant authorities to provide assistance.
Recent reports indicate that the flooding affected a wider stretch of the Eket area, with residents in communities including Afaha Eket, Uqua, Ikot Udoma, Idua and Afaha Uqua reporting rising floodwaters and displacement. A local civic group, the Ekid Development Forum, has also linked the recurring flooding to concerns over drainage infrastructure, waste management and environmental practices.
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