Residents of Tebernacle road and its environs in the Uyo metropolis, affected by flooding occasioned by road construction and heavy rainfall are in trauma as their livelihoods have been disrupted.
It would be recalled that on July 9 ,2026, long hours of torrential night rainfall caused devastating flooding in the area, which residents fled their homes for safety while their belongings were destroyed.
A visit to the flood- ravaged area recently, showed that some of affected residents are grappling with the challenge as their compounds were still submerged by flood, despite that heavy rainfall has lessen.
A family member of one -storey building still engulfed with flood , Mr Udo Israel, said the menace which started since 2019 ago, has left the entire family homeless as the building becomes unconducive for living.
According to him, flooding in the area started when construction of the Tebernacle road causes blockage with water flowing into people’s compounds because the road level had been filled above the level of the existing houses.
He stated that there was no channel to direct water into as other buildings around the corridor were facing the same problem.
Another resident, Mr Ifiok Usanga stated that the uncompleted road construction, where drainage can be provided was the bane of the flood disaster confronting them.
“With the filling of the road , water finds it way into people’s compounds because the filling is higher than the old buildings.
“Every rainy season, we continue to suffer the effect, our buildings are damaged from the foundation, including other belongings,” Usanga said.
He noted that with the overwhelming environmental disaster, their house built with shops at the frontage, which supposed to be given out to tenants, were remaining wasted due to the perennial flooding.
“We are yet to get relief from any source, just as the construction firm is yet to even bring a temporary measure to our plight” he added.
A widow, Mrs Alice Dan, speaking amid emotions , said heavy rainfall with resultant flood destroyed neighbours ‘s fence and water which found its way, overflowed the enclosed compound, damaging their belongings .
The 80-year-old widow lamented that , “over one week, the flooding occurred, we left the house, all our household items are spoiled. I’m helpless , my clothes are gone, nothing to wear,
Mrs Alice Dan beside her flood- ravaged house
the children you’re seeing here were rescued into ceiling with the use of ladder because water reached window level , with the road all covered
with water and there was no way to run out,” she recounted.
She stated that although some of the occupants have returned, they were living in fear of possible heavy rainfall that might trigger intense flooding and appealed for support from the government, private organizations and individuals.
The Village Head of Ikot Udoro Oku, Chief Effiong Ikpe, who pitied the affected residents, acknowledged that Governor Umo Eno had made frantic efforts to make the contractor resume the road construction, but yet to be seen in the vicinity.
He called for urgent humanitarian intervention and measured to address the menace against loss of lives and property.