…Directs relevant agencies to gear up against further disaster
The Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Senator Akon Eyakenyi has reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Umoh Eno and readiness to combat heavy flooding in the State by taking proactive measures to deal with the menace.
These reassurance was given Tuesday, during the first outing of the Inter-Ministerial Flood/Disaster Management Monitoring/Coordinating Committee headed by the Deputy Governor Akon Eyakenyi on inspection of sights ravaged by flood in the past few days.
Senator Eyakenyi opined that, for lives and properties to be saved, buildings on water ways have to be brought down immediately, stating that some areas originally marked by town planners as green areas especially in the Osongama Estate axis have been occupied, and further gave defaulters 21 days to evacuate the said areas.
Speaking further, Senator Akon advised particularly, the UCCDA to be conscientious when giving approval for buildings, noting that most of the buildings on water ways and greenfields were duly approved.
Akon implored that relevant Agencies be up and doing, especially the AKSEPWMA, to desilt major water tunnels to help combat major flooding as predicted by NIMET.
The affected areas visited were, the Ewet housing extension, Gloria Anana and adjoining streets in Osongama Estate, Methodist Church Cathedral, Itiam Etoi, along Oron road and the Nsikak Eduok drainage.
The Deputy Governor was accompanied by the Surveyor General of the State, Surv Emem Isang, Chairman Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection Waste management Agency(AKSEPWMA), Obong Prince Ikim, Dir. Flood and Erosion Control,Min.of Environment, MD Bulletine construction company, SEMA and NEMA officials amongst others.
