…to set up Clean Akwa Ibom Brigade
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has announced sweeping measures to tackle perennial flooding in the state, including the demolition of buildings erected on designated drainage channels and the establishment of a specialised environmental task force known as the Clean Akwa Ibom Brigade.
The governor unveiled the new flood control strategy while speaking with journalists after an unscheduled inspection of the Judiciary Staff Quarters project in Uyo, stressing that effective flood management requires the collective efforts of both government and residents.
Governor Eno said the state would immediately develop a new flood and drainage master plan to replace the existing one, which he noted no longer reflects the realities of rapid urbanisation and expanding infrastructure.
He directed the Commissioner for Environment to assemble environmental experts, engineers and other relevant stakeholders to produce a comprehensive blueprint that would guide drainage construction, infrastructure development and flood mitigation across the state.
“We need to have a state flood and drainage master plan. The one we have is old. 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 said.
As part of the initiative, Governor Eno announced the establishment of the Clean Akwa Ibom Brigade under the Ministry of Environment to focus exclusively on clearing blocked drains and ensuring effective flood control. He explained that the brigade would complement existing environmental agencies by concentrating on drainage maintenance and flood prevention.
The governor also issued a stern warning against illegal developments on drainage routes, declaring that all structures obstructing natural waterways would be demolished, irrespective of ownership, status or previous approvals.
According to him, the government can no longer tolerate developments that threaten public safety by blocking drainage channels and worsening flooding in surrounding communities.
To strengthen compliance with environmental laws, Governor Eno directed the Ministry of Environment, the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, and the Office of the Attorney-General to establish Environmental Sanitation Courts to prosecute sanitation offenders.
He said the courts would emphasise community service rather than monetary fines, with offenders required to participate in environmental sanitation activities, particularly the clearing of blocked drainage channels.
The governor further announced stricter enforcement of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, declaring that movement would be restricted across the state on the last Saturday of every month between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
He said no individual or activity, including social ceremonies, commercial operations or arriving travellers, would be exempted from the restriction until the sanitation exercise had been completed.
Governor Eno maintained that while his administration would continue investing in drainage infrastructure and flood management projects, residents must also play their part by keeping their surroundings clean and complying with environmental regulations.
“We will do our part, but we also expect all of us as citizens to do our own part too… so that we can solve some of these problems,” he said.
He noted that the measures form part of his administration’s broader commitment to protecting lives and public infrastructure while building a cleaner, safer and more environmentally sustainable Akwa Ibom State.
During the inspection of the Judiciary Staff Quarters project, Governor Eno also expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of work, criticising what he described as the laxity and nonchalant attitude of the contractors handling the project.
He described it as unacceptable for construction sites to be deserted by contractors and workers during official working hours and called for improved commitment to timely project delivery.
