TheHILL | NEWS | OCTOBER 18.
Attitudinal change by residents could avert flooding in the State, the Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), Obong Prince Ikim has said.
While there have been a major improvements in the areas of waste policies, enforcement team from the Agency among others, compliance from residents have not been feasible as they still dispose of their waste indiscriminately, leading to blocked drains and channels.
The AKSEPWMA boss in a chat with newsmen after inspecting desilting of blocked drains on Calabar Itu Highway and other areas in Uyo metropolis said, the nonchalant attitude of some residents was slowing successes recorded in flood control by the State government.
According to Ikim, investigations by officials of the Agency after the last rainfall revealed that flash floods occurred in the areas where residents had blocked their drains with refuse, thus spewing water onto the roads.
He said Akwa Ibom residents should realize that it portends dangers when their drains are littered with refuse as this could bring about unexpected destruction and fatalities.
While reiterating that the safety of lives and property of the citizens was the main concern of the Udom Emmanuel administration, Obong Ikim enjoined residents of the state to adhere to the personal and basic hygienic tips designed to prevent flood, warning them against unlawful disposal of waste in undesignated spaces.
Meanwhile, desilting of blocked drains, according to the Agency’s Chairman continues tomorrow and will outlast the current rainy season.
