Governor Pastor Umo Eno has ordered the Ministry of Environment to draft a comprehensive flood and drainage master plan for Akwa Ibom State. The governor said the current blueprint is outdated and fails to account for the rapid urban growth and new infrastructure across the state.
Eno issued the directive after touring the Judiciary Staff Quarters project in Uyo. He spoke to journalists about the persistent flooding problems ravaging communities and destroying property throughout the state.
The governor has mandated the immediate demolition of all buildings and structures blocking natural drainage channels, irrespective of who owns them or whether they had prior approval. No exceptions will be made based on ownership or status, he stressed.
To strengthen flood management, Eno announced the creation of the Clean Akwa Ibom Brigade. This new unit, housed under the Ministry of Environment, will patrol drainage channels and prevent obstruction while enforcing effective flood control measures.
The governor instructed three agencies to collaborate on establishing Environmental Sanitation Courts. These courts will prosecute people who breach sanitation rules and regulations across the state.
Rather than relying on fines alone, the courts will sentence offenders to community service, Eno said. Violators will be required to clean blocked drainage channels and participate in environmental remediation activities.
"We need to have a state flood and drainage master plan. The one we have is old," he told reporters.
"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."
The governor announced that the last Saturday of every month will be designated for statewide environmental sanitation. Movement will be banned from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on these days across the entire state.
No exemptions will be granted during the restriction period, Eno warned. Ceremonies, business activities, and even arriving travellers must wait until the sanitation exercise concludes, he added.
During the inspection of the Judiciary Staff Quarters project, Eno expressed serious displeasure with the contractors' performance. He said it's unacceptable for work sites to remain empty during regular working hours with no contractors or workers present.
The governor criticised what he described as the lackadaisical and nonchalant attitude of those managing the project. Such negligence undermines the state's development agenda, he noted.
