By Rasheeda Hamidu
Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has announced plans to develop a new flood and drainage master plan to strengthen flood control and address environmental challenges arising from rapid urbanisation across the state.
Speaking to journalists in Uyo on Thursday, Eno said the existing flood management plan had become outdated and no longer reflected recent developments across the state.
The governor directed the Commissioner for Environment to assemble environmental experts, engineers and other relevant stakeholders to prepare a modern flood and drainage master plan to guide future infrastructure development and flood mitigation efforts.
He said, “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.”
Eno also announced the establishment of the Clean Akwa Ibom Brigade under the Ministry of Environment to keep drainage channels free of obstructions and support flood prevention across the state.
The governor ordered the demolition of buildings obstructing natural drainage routes, warning that illegal structures would be removed regardless of ownership, status or previous approvals.
NatureNews notes that blocked drainage channels, uncontrolled urban expansion and developments on natural waterways increase flood risks, damage infrastructure and threaten lives, particularly during periods of intense rainfall.
Eno further 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 offenders who violate environmental sanitation regulations.
He also announced stricter enforcement of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, stating that movement would be restricted between 7:00 am and 10:00 am on the last Saturday of every month to improve compliance with sanitation measures.
The governor urged residents to complement government investments in drainage infrastructure by maintaining clean surroundings and complying with environmental regulations, stressing that effective flood management requires collective responsibility.
NatureNews reports that integrated flood planning, improved drainage infrastructure and stronger enforcement of environmental regulations remain critical to building climate-resilient cities and reducing flood risks across Nigeria.