By Augustine Aminu
The recently inaugurated IBB Flood Control Project in Akwa Ibom State is aimed at creating over 1000 direct and indirect jobs in the state.
The project which was commissioned by the Executive Governor of Delta State Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, on the invitation of the state governor Mr Udom Emmanuel, was jointly funded by the Akwa Ibom State Government and the World Bank through the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP).
The 8.4 kilometers project which spanned through 18 communities across three local government areas in the state was executed by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).
Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Environment and Solid Minerals, Sir Charles Udoh, who disclosed this in a statement made available to NatureNews, said the project has been adjudged the largest ever flood control project in Nigeria.
Sir Udoh added that it has also provided livelihood support projects to about 21 communities in three Local Governments Areas (LGAs) of Uyo, Ibesikpo Asutan and Nsit Ibom respectively.
According to him, the commissioning was part of activities marking the 35th anniversary “of the creation of the only state on planet earth named after God, Akwa Ibom State”.
The commissioner, who was saddled with the responsibility of supervising the project, further explained that for almost 20 years, the affected communities had groaned under the pangs of perennial flooding. Adding that governments had come and gone but the plight of the communities remained unpalatable.
He therefore commended Governor Udom who he described as an environment-friendly governor, for intervening and finding a lasting solution to the problem.
“It is fittingly proper to place on record the fact that the IBB Flood control project would never have seen the light of the day; not to talk about succeeding, without the approval and support of the most Environment Friendly Governor Akwa Ibom State has ever had, Mr Udom Emmanuel”.
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“Then Cometh the man and the hour; Governor Udom Emmanuel decided to take the bull by the horn in an audacious manner and approved the construction of what has become a landmark project in the annals of the history of Akwa Ibom and Nigeria”, he said.
Sir Udoh stressed that Akwa Ibom is indeed setting new, high standards in every aspect of economic development in the country.
He also noted that the intervention provides a permanent and comprehensive solution to the problem of perennial flooding at IBB Avenue and the surrounding communities which previously defied various intervention efforts.
Notably, the design provides a drainage channel that conveys storm water in the entire catchment area of about 18km. It also provides for the collection of future runoff from adjourning areas.
This, the commissioner said, was done through the construction of a combination of underground and open reinforced concrete storm water drains spanning about 8.4km and designed for a total discharge capacity of 80.439cubic meters per second. There are two alignment drains spanning about 2km, evacuating storm water from the environs of IBB.
“The terminal section of the channel consists of a storm water outfall drain consisting of a 0.3km length of reinforced concrete main drain and 0.6km length of Gabion/Reno mattress. This is accompanied by about 1km designed grass channel and an extensive bioremediation to protect the embankment”, he added.
Moreover, to provide access for routine maintenance and removal of solid wastes, an access road is provided parallel to the alignment of the storm water drain with ramps at regular intervals.
The project has over 15 road crossing culverts, 2 stream crossings at the downstream area, 10 mini water schemes to provide alternative source of drinking water to downstream communities, perimeter fencing at open drain sections, guard rails among others.
Meanwhile, over 1000 affected persons whose project was located along the Project Corridor, were duly paid compensation. In addition, the project had excellent safety records adhering to international best practices and standards. This culminated in the project team being recognized by the World Bank as the Best in Social Safeguards, Project Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation, Innovation and Inventiveness.
Similarly, the Akwa Ibom State Government is also recognized by the World Bank for making the highest counterpart fund contribution by any State Government in Nigeria
