The Executive Chairman of ONNA Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Kufre Umoren, on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, received a high-level government delegation comprising officials of the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Environment, the Akwa Ibom State Waste Management Agency, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for an on-the-spot assessment of communities affected by recent flooding in the area.
The assessment formed part of the state government’s coordinated response to the flooding, which has affected homes, farmlands, livestock and other properties across several communities in ONNA.
Led by the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Nsikak Ekong, the delegation visited Nung Oku Ekanem, Ikot Mbong, Ikot Ese Ishiet, Ikot Obong and other affected communities to assess the extent of the damage and identify the immediate needs of residents.
Speaking during the assessment, Commissioner Ekong said the team was in ONNA on the directive of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, following reports of the severity of the flooding.
“We came under the directive of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, because of reports of the serious flood challenges in ONNA. We needed to come here and see, first-hand, what is happening,” he said.
Ekong noted that the state government had recently engaged a consultant to update the drainage and flood master plan of Uyo, stressing that similar planning measures should be extended to other local government areas.
He said the updated plan would help determine appropriate areas for development, identify locations that should remain free from construction and establish drainage requirements in response to increasing urbanisation.
“Whatever the cause of the flooding in ONNA, whether it is traditional, a canal or another factor, water must have a natural passage. The critical question is: where is the water supposed to go?” he said.
The Commissioner assured residents that the findings from the assessment would be presented to Governor Umo Eno for appropriate action.
“I want to assure the people of ONNA that, being a very proactive Governor, His Excellency will ensure that something is done,” he said.
Ekong also expressed satisfaction with the participation of NEMA and SEMA in the assessment, saying the agencies would help evaluate the impact of the disaster on affected residents, particularly those who lost homes, farmlands and livestock.
Responding, the ONNA Council Chairman, Hon. Kufre Umoren, expressed appreciation to Governor Umo Eno for responding promptly to the concerns raised by residents.
Umoren said the state government’s intervention, coming only a few days after the council reached out over the flooding, had renewed hope among affected communities.
“We appreciate His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, for his proactive response to the cries of our people. We also appreciate the Honourable Commissioner for Environment, the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Waste Management Agency, Prince Ikim, NEMA, SEMA and every member of the team for coming to see, first-hand, what has befallen our people,” Umoren said.
He expressed optimism that the assessment would lead to concrete interventions to support affected residents and address the underlying causes of the flooding.
“With this assessment, we are hopeful that help will come from the government,” the Chairman said.
