Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has assured host communities of the ongoing World Bank Assisted N14 Billion IBB flood control project of completion in December.
Inspecting the flood control project which cuts across 17 villages in Uyo, Ibesikpo and Nsit Ibom Local Councils of the state on Tuesday, the Governor applauded the speed and quality of the project so far.
He reminded contractors handling the job, that as 100 percent pre-funded project, there was no excuse for the work to exceed December 2021, without compromising quality.
Emmanuel appreciated the World Bank for keying into the state government’s effort to ameliorate the sufferings the people were exposed to, by the perennial flood in the affected areas.
“We are here today to look at this perennial issue of flood that has been existing in this place for over 15 years. We are in government to solve problems, that is why we decided to undertake this 8km drainage, designed to take flood water off Uyo, through this channel into major outfall drain. The size of this drainage can take two salon cars side by side..
“It is World Bank assisted project in partnership with the state government. So I want to appreciate World Bank for partnering the state government because we could not have done it alone. The project you are seeing here is going to cost more than $50m by the time we finish”.
“There are some things we do that a professional politician would not agree to do. A professional politician would never do this because people wouldn’t see it to clap hands. It costs so much to take flood water out. The money we used here could have taken many kilometres of roads, or constructed one white elephant project. But that is not what good governance is about. We take in totality what would benefit the people.” He explained.
The Governor assured of the state government readiness to partner other bodies and agencies in the fight against erosion and flooding in the state.
Giving more insight into the project, State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Charles Udoh said the 8km drainage is designed to deflood the Lowest part of Uyo and link existing drainages from Atiku, Olusegun Obasanjo highway and Ring roads 2 and 3.
Udo assured that the design have given consideration to densely populated areas by ensuring that drains in such areas are covered, while other less- inhabited areas would be equipped with fencing to reduce risks.
Also speaking, member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly representing Ibesikpo Asutan, Mr Aniekan Uko whose community hosts the terminal point for.the drainage commended the state government for the safety measures put in place and for the provision made for alternative sources of water in the community.
