Niger Delta
A’Ibom, C’River Deploy Preventive Measures Against Flood, Erosion
Akwa Ibom and Cross River States stakeholders have said that intensive preventive measures are in place to contain flooding, save lives and property, and also prevent further worsening of erosion areas in both states.
The stakeholders disclosed this while responding to The Tide’s sources’s survey on actions by erosion-prone states to mitigate floods.
They said plans were underway to evacuate people living in the worst flood-prone areas, while efforts were also being made to reclaim lands devastated by erosion.
However, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Rivers State called for the establishment of State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) backed by law to strengthen disaster preparedness and response.
In Akwa Ibom State, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, said the state government was taking several steps to check flooding and protect the ecological environment.
He said the government had already taken measures to mitigate erosion across the 31 local government areas by investing billions of naira in intervention projects.
Umanah said the government had reclaimed the erosion site on Atiku Abubakar Avenue and recently ordered the desilting of drains on the road to contain the predicted incoming flood.
He recalled that one of the first projects inaugurated by former President Goodluck Jonathan in the state was the 1.48km underground drainage line on Atiku Abubakar Avenue.
Umanah added that the government had also constructed erosion-control drainage lines off the Two Lanes that channelled water away from Oron Road.
He explained that the drainage line was connected to underground lines running towards the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
He said the Governor also directed the construction of the adjoining Afaha Ube Street and side drains to link Ikot Ekpene Road with immediate effect in order to control flooding in the area.
The Commissioner added that work was ongoing along Uyo Village Road to reclaim about 4.3km of gully erosion that had almost destroyed several parts of the city, including the Government House.
“If you go to the perimeters of the Government House, you will see the totality of that area being remediated”, Umanah said.
He said the government had almost solved the devastating gully erosion that occurred on a previously abandoned refuse dump site along Uyo Village Road, reclaiming the area for a middle-class housing estate and recreational centres.
He said as part of its ecological remediation efforts, the government reclaimed 73 hectares of gully erosion spread around Etim Usanga, Udo Umana, and Usanga streets, off Brook Street.
Umanah said the government had invested billions of naira in the Ibom Arise Park Project, deploying massive reclamation efforts to arrest severe land degradation and turning a threatening ecological disaster site into an eco-friendly tourist and resort destination.
“There has been so much investment made by this administration in erosion control in the state.
“As you know, Uyo is on flat land and is very prone to erosion and other water-related challenges.
”Since the coming of the administration of Governor Umo Eno, erosion control and ecological remediation have been among the main actions of the government to save Uyo from collapse”, he stated.
Umanah said the Governor had directed the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), Mr. Akpan Ikim, to ensure adequate desilting of side drains across the metropolis.
The Commissioner said residents living in low-lying coastal areas had also been directed to relocate to upland areas to avoid impending danger.
He said the government had warned against indiscriminate waste dumping that blocks drainage channels and against building on waterways, adding that structures on waterways would be demolished.
He said a committee, comprising the commissioners for Environment and Water Resources, Health, Agriculture, Internal Security, Lands, and AKSEPWMA, had been set up to interface with federal agencies in proposing mitigation actions against flooding.
The AKSEPWMA Chairman, Ikim, said the main approach to flooding was heavy infrastructure for long-term control, routine desilting, and community cleanup for immediate risk reduction.
In Cross River, the government said plans were underway to tackle major erosion and flood-prone areas ahead of intensified rainfall forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
Mr. Obeten Otu, Acting Project Coordinator of the Nigeria Climate Adaptation, Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB), said the erosion project was previously funded by the World Bank.
He said the project is now being financed by the European Investment Bank (EIB), following the World Bank’s exit on 30 June 2022.
He explained that current intervention efforts in Cross River focused on severe and catastrophic gully erosion sites across the state to prevent further environmental degradation.
“NEWMAP-EIB has deployed Gully Rapid Action Slope Stabilisation (GRASS) measures to minimise erosion impacts pending permanent remediation works”, he said.
The State Governor, Bassey Otu, had approved the commencement of engineering designs for six gully erosion/flood control sites that required revalidation, and 10 new engineering designs for the state’s most severe erosion sites.
“Cross River has more than 75 gully erosion sites, making it impossible to address all affected locations simultaneously.
”The International Conference Centre axis in Summit Hills, Calabar, is one of the most critical erosion locations earmarked for intervention”, he said.
Otu added that NEWMAP-EIB always collaborated with NiMet and the Cross River Basin Authority to monitor flood and erosion risks and strengthen early response measures statewide.
The Executive Secretary of the Calabar Urban Development Agency (CUDA), Dr. Effiong Ayi, said the government had adopted science-based and community-focused measures to mitigate flooding and protect lives and property.
He listed ongoing interventions as dredging of waterways, widening canals, clearing drainages, and demolishing structures obstructing flood channels.
“We are not leaving anything to chance; our goal is to prevent avoidable loss of lives and property through early and coordinated action.
”Sensitisation campaigns are ongoing in flood-prone communities to educate residents on evacuation routes, flood risks, and environmental sanitation”, he said.
Ayi noted that the state would soon launch radio awareness campaigns and establish a task force against indiscriminate dumping of refuse in waterways.
He urged residents to obey environmental laws, avoid building on waterways, and report blocked drainage systems to relevant authorities.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Antigha Gill, said 13 local government areas of the state had been identified as high flood-risk zones.
Gill said SEMA, in collaboration with NEMA, had commenced community sensitisation campaigns across vulnerable areas.
He said the agency had engaged traditional rulers, youth groups, emergency responders, and community stakeholders on flood preparedness and response measures.
“We are telling residents what to expect, protective measures to take, and where to seek refuge when flooding occurs”, Gill said.
He disclosed that the state fire service had also been mobilised to support rescue operations during possible flooding incidents.
He added that government efforts focused on disaster preparedness, early warning systems, and reducing the long-term effects of climate change and poor land use.
The DG said SEMA would expand sensitisation campaigns to other parts of the state, as it had begun stockpiling emergency materials and relief items ahead of the peak rainfall period.
In Rivers State, NEMA urged states to establish SEMAs backed by law to strengthen disaster preparedness and response.
The Acting Director, South-South Zonal Directorate of NEMA, Mr. Eric Ebhodaghe, also urged states to establish functional Local Government Emergency Management Committees for effective disaster response.
He said the appeal followed flood predictions indicating that 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) would experience moderate and high flood risks in 2026.
According to him, local emergency committees should serve as first responders, while SEMAs would complement local efforts before seeking national intervention when necessary.
“Disaster management is everybody’s business. We must work together to effectively manage this impending flood,”, he said.
On evacuation plans, Ebhodaghe said emergency frameworks had identified high-risk areas and mapped out safe zones across the country.
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Dr. Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, has called for calm and a peaceful resolution of the ongoing impasse in the Warri Federal Constituency.
Ekpemupolo, a High Chief in Ijaw land, who made the call in a statement in Warri, noted that the ongoing impasse arose from the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to complete the delineation of wards in the constituency.
He appealed that the situation must not be allowed to be hijacked or degenerate into violence of any sort.
“I join all well-meaning Nigerians to call for a peaceful resolution. The Ijaw nation has from time immemorial been known for their peaceful ways and we cannot deviate from our history.
“The current political situation arising from the failure of INEC to complete the delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency and mass action must not be allowed to be hijacked or degenerate into violence of any sort.
“Therefore, I am calling for calm, no matter the situation. We must all join hands in seeking a peaceful resolution to this impasse”, he said.
Ekpemupolo, who is also the Chairman, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), while urging INEC to do the right thing and restore the peace in Warri and environ, called for an urgent meeting of community leaders to device a way forward.
“We call on the people of Warri (whether Ijaw, Itsekiri or Urhobo) to be calm and wait patiently for INEC to do the right thing”, he said.
He recalled that since on Monday, there had been mass action by peaceful women and youths from the various Ijaw communities in Delta, occupying oil and gas installations in the Escravos and Warri river areas.
He added that the peaceful action had led to calls from various quarters, particularly from well-meaning Nigerians, seeking for a peaceful resolution of the imbroglio.
Niger Delta
Progress In 21-Km Nembe-Brass Road Project Impresses Diri … As Contractor Pledges December Delivery Date
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed fulfillment with the ongoing construction of the 21km phase one of the Nembe-Brass road projects in the state’s eastern senatorial district.
The Governor described the project as a dream come true for him and the people of Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas.
Senator Diri, who inspected the expansive construction work on Tuesday, said the road, which cuts through the mangrove forest and rivers, was a testament to his administration’s determination to connect hitherto unreachable riverine communities by road despite the difficult terrain.
Led by the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, ESV Moses Teibowei, Diri first inspected the asphalted 10km portion of the road with about three bridges, before crossing the river on a barge to see the extent of work on another 10km that had been stabilised.
Diri in astatement by his spokesperson, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, was quoted as noting that it was one thing to have a vision and another to have the will to execute it.
Alabrah also quoted the Governor as saying that the project had been well funded since it commenced and assured that his administration will complete it on the date stated by the contractors.
On the second phase of the project undertaken by the federal government, the State Chief Execution appreciated President Bola Tinubu for awarding the contract and for ensuring that it is running simultaneously with the phase one being done by the state government.
“I feel accomplished. It is one thing to have the vision and another thing to have the will to do it. Being a Bayelsan, the importance of this road cannot be over-emphasised. This is what the people have been yearning for and I’m satisfied that the people are happy about the project.
“On funding, we have never disappointed the contractor and I believe they will not disappoint us. By the time the road is completed, it will reduce cases of sea piracy.
“Let me sieze this opportunity to thank President Bola Tinubu. There was another President when we proposed this road. We wrote, nobody answered us then. But this President did not only answer us, he awarded the contract for the second phase”, Diri said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Teibowei, expressed satisfaction with the level of work so far done, stressing that the most difficult aspect of the job had been done.
He said the fifth bridge being constructed will be completed in three months while assuring that the road will be finished within the stipulated time.
The Setraco Construction Company South-South Area Manager (Bayelsa and Rivers), Mr. Jose Cosme, said phase one of the road will be completed in December 2026.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has said construction work on the 3.75-kilometre Okrika-Borikiri Road and bridge project in Rivers State will gather momentum following the payment of compensation to affected property owners at the Borikiri axis of the project.
Speaking during an inspection of the project site in Okrika, the NDDC Assistant Director, Utilities, Infrastructure Development and Waterways (UIDW), Martins Isichei, disclosed that compensation issues that had stalled progress on the Borikiri alignment had been resolved.
According to him, the Commission has settled compensation claims for property owners affected by the project corridor and is awaiting the evacuation of residents before commencing demolition of structures within the right of way.
“The NDDC has paid compensation to property owners along the Borikiri alignment, and we are expecting the evacuation of residents there before we commence demolition of structures in the right of way”, he said.
Isichei noted that work on the Okrika section of the project had recorded significant progress despite challenges encountered on the waterways.
He explained that shortly after work resumed, a vessel collided with an existing pile, forcing engineers to redesign part of the bridge structure.
“When we resumed work on the site, a vessel collided with an existing pile. We had to re-profile the bridge and develop a new design to circumvent the damaged pile”, he said.
The NDDC official expressed optimism that the project would ease traffic congestion along the refinery road corridor and significantly reduce travel time between Okrika and Port Harcourt upon completion.
He explained that the project comprises three major bridge structures: the 180-metre Kolabi Bridge at Etche Waterfront, the 1,120-metre Abotoru Bridge, and the 490-metre Okpoka Bridge.
While acknowledging that progress on the Borikiri alignment had lagged because of compensation-related issues, Isichei said construction activities would commence there shortly.
Also speaking, the Project Consultant, Azu Chukwuma, said the scope of the project was reviewed following its revival to align with present realities and engineering requirements.
He noted that efforts were underway to accelerate construction, particularly the launching of bridge beams, despite the high cost of marine logistics associated with the project.
“Our intention is to determine how quickly we can proceed with launching the first sets of beams. The work is mainly on the river, and much of the marine logistics involved is costly. I am in touch with the appropriate officials of the NDDC to determine the best way forward”, Chukwuma stated.
He commended host communities for their cooperation, noting that the absence of major disputes had contributed to the project’s steady progress.
A representative of the construction company, Maroun Kassouf, said fabrication of bridge beams had advanced considerably and that installation would begin soon.
“The project is progressing well. Once people evacuate at the Borikiri end, we will demolish the structures there and move to that site immediately. That end would be much easier, as the river is shallower than the Okrika end”, he said.
The Vice Chairman of the Okrika Community Development Committee, Minengibi Ferdinand, lauded the NDDC for undertaking the project, describing it as a critical infrastructure that would improve connectivity and stimulate economic growth.
He said the road and bridge network would provide an alternative route to Okrika, ease pressure on the East-West Road and open up communities for greater socio-economic development.
“This is a laudable project that will ease traffic on the East-West Road and provide an alternate route to Okrika. We are hopeful that once it is completed, it will attract socio-economic development to our community”, Ferdinand said.
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