Thousands of residents in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, have been displaced after prolonged rainfall on Thursday morning triggered widespread flooding that inundated homes, businesses and major roads across the city.

Among the communities worst affected were Oron Road, Tabernacle Road, Abak Road, Ikot Ekpene Road, Ewet Housing Extension, Nkemba, CAT, Ukana Offot, Uwah and Aka Itiam streets, where floodwaters submerged residential buildings and commercial premises.

Videos circulating on social media showed entire neighbourhoods under water, with several houses and churches completely flooded.

Residents were seen struggling through the floodwaters, while others attempted to salvage household belongings by spreading mattresses and other items outside to dry. Some victims were reportedly forced to spend the night outdoors after losing access to their homes.

One of the affected residents, Otuekong Ebong Bassey, expressed concern over the extent of the destruction after floodwaters covered his family house. He said the ancestral home was completely submerged and that the tombstone of his late father was nearly washed away.

“I am calling on the state government to come to our aid,” Bassey said, adding that he was worried about the safety of other occupants and lamenting the destruction of household property.

Another resident, identified as Anite, appealed to the Akwa Ibom State Government to provide relief for victims, saying many families had lost homes, household appliances and other valuables. He recalled that victims of a similar flood incident during the administration of former Governor Godswill Akpabio received compensation and urged Governor Umo Eno to support those affected.

Residents attributed the flooding to poor drainage systems and ongoing road construction projects, while environmental experts linked the disaster to a combination of climate change, blocked drainage channels and inadequate flood control infrastructure.

In response, Governor Umo Eno directed relevant government agencies to immediately identify vulnerable communities and implement measures to reduce the impact of flooding.

The directive was conveyed by the Deputy Governor, Akon Eyakenyi, during a constituency briefing and empowerment programme organised by the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Udeme Otong, in Abak Local Government Area.

Eyakenyi disclosed that the governor had instructed the Akwa Ibom State Emergency Management Agency and the Ministry of Environment to assess the affected locations. She said inspections had been completed and reports submitted to the government.

According to her, the assessment revealed that some communities require immediate desilting of drains and culverts, while illegal structures obstructing natural waterways may be demolished as part of long-term flood mitigation efforts.

(Photo Credit: The Guardian Newspaper)