Residents of Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom have been left counting their losses after torrential rainfall triggered severe flooding, destroying homes and property worth millions of naira.
The residents spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Eket on Sunday following heavy rainfall that lasted for several hours from Saturday night into Sunday.
Mrs Elizabeth Akpan, a resident of Mkpok Lane, said floodwater completely submerged her home and destroyed her electronics, kitchen utensils and other household belongings.
“Flood has destroyed my property worth millions of naira due to the heavy downpour that started yesterday and today,” she lamented.
Akpan appealed to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to urgently intervene, saying the flood had taken over her entire building.
Another resident, Mrs Mfonobong Bassey of Edem Udoh Street, said she and her children had been battling to remove floodwater from their home since 4 a.m.
“My children and I have been scooping water from our rooms, kitchen, toilet and bathroom since 4 a.m”.
“Flood has submerged my house and soaked the sitting room. God, come and save me and my children from this calamity,” she cried.
NAN reports that the heavy downpour caused severe flooding across several parts of Eket, forcing some residents to seek alternative accommodation.
Some buildings were reportedly damaged or collapsed, while several families fled their homes as floodwater spread across affected communities.
Areas impacted include Ediam Road, Edohoeket Street, Idua Road, Afaha Eket Road, All Weather Road, Ikot Udoma, Mkpok Lane and Eket-Oron Road.
Mr Promise Friday, a businessman, said the flood destroyed more than 80 bags of POP materials and cement he had purchased for a building project.
He said other belongings in his apartment were also damaged, leaving him with substantial financial losses.
Another resident, Mr Paul Idongesit, said the flood collapsed his building and destroyed his late wife’s grave.
Idongesit appealed to NEMA and other relevant agencies to provide urgent assistance to residents whose homes and property were destroyed.
He also called on the state government to construct larger drainage channels and culverts to reduce the frequency and impact of flooding.
Friday urged relevant authorities, including the World Bank, to support affected residents and assist in finding lasting solutions to the recurring flooding.
Responding, the Chairman of Eket Local Government Area, Mr Akaninyene Tommy, described the situation as devastating.
“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 had visited affected areas to assess the damage and listen to residents affected by the disaster.
“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 recognize the urgency of the situation,” he said.
Tommy said the council was engaging NEMA and SEMA while compiling detailed assessments of the affected areas.
He added that the assessments would be submitted to relevant authorities to facilitate timely intervention and support for affected residents.
source: NAN
