Since the commencement of massive desilting of drains within the State capital as well as other city centers across the State, residents, motorists and citizens of Akwa Ibom State have unceasingly applauded Governor Emmanuel, for fulfilling his promise of ensuring that all drains are properly and timely desilted before and during rainy seasons. Recall that in the last quarter of 2019 , Governor Emmanuel while embarking on a working visit to flood- prone areas around Abak road, Nkemba street, Atan Offot, Uruan Street, Mbiabong amongst other areas, had given a matching order to the relevant Agency to ensure that important measures were taken to mitigate flood. Few weeks after the Governor’s directives, the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA) under the leadership of Obong Prince Ikim landed on the major roads and streets to carry out the Governor’s directives across the state metropolis.

At this, the ball was passed to Ikim’s court. The task of desilting the drains in a city center where the entire drainage system was abandoned for 12 years with silts clogged to the brims, was not an easy one. But Ikim was at the goal of reaching a flood- free Akwa Ibom, which the Governor directed.

Daring the rains

The menace of flooding in Akwa Ibom State before Obong Prince Ikim assumed office as the environment helmsman, had gotten out of hand and was herculean to tackle. Strategic measures to root causes beckoned which more often than not demanded a “thought outside the box” to streamline appropriate remedial remedial.

Flood control & Desilting

Thus, on Wednesday, July 6, 2021 Ikim began daring the rains by inspecting drainage and gutters across noted flood- prone areas while it rained, to have a firsthand observation and identification of trouble spots. He said that inspecting the drains while it rained was the best strategy to overhaul and tackle back flow of water in the environment, saying that AKSEPWMA is bent on tackling environmental issues with best strategies. At Atiku Abubakar Way, it was discovered that residents at the instance of the rain had disposed heavy chunk of garbage into the gutters to be flushed by the gushing flow. This contributed to blocked gutters around the city center. Similar anomaly was spotted at Abak road opposite the State Secretariat, causing a major backflow, albeit was swiftly intervened by AKSEPWMA Intervention team.