The Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) has expressed concern and sorrow over the recent flood disaster in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital and other communities in adjoining local government areas, including Itam in Itu local government area.
It was on record that the current rains which started last Thursday have wreaked havoc in several parts of the state leading to loss of lives, destruction of property worth millions of naira and displacement of hundreds of residents battling the harsh socio-economic realities.
The flooding that started on July 8, 2026, has been described as “a tragic incident that has left many families devastated” by the director of CHRAN, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, in a statement jointly signed by the secretary, Research and Documentation, Comrade Etimbuk Ekpenyong.
The rights group expressed concern on the preparedness of relevant government agencies, given the early warning signal from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) which identified Akwa Ibom State among the 28 states most hit by flooding as the thick rainy season commences.
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The CSO stated that the volume of destruction seen in Uyo and its neighbouring communities raised questions about the efficacy of the existing flood prevention and management measures, stressing that reactive, instead of proactive, measures should have minimized the current level of destruction to the barest minimum.
The centre recalled that the federal government had earlier issued flood forecasts and warnings to several states, including Akwa Ibom, giving the authorities enough time to undertake preventive measures such as desilting drainage channels, clearing waterways, strengthening emergency response systems and sensitising vulnerable communities.
It questioned, “What proactive steps were adopted by the state government to lessen the impact of the anticipated floods? Were ministries, departments (MDAs) and other relevant agencies not properly mobilised to desilt the clogged drainage infrastructure properly before the rains?”
CHRAN further expressed concern over what it termed the lack of visible executive leadership in the aftermath of the disaster, stating that Governor Umo Eno had not personally visited the affected communities or bereaved families, beyond media statements and advocacies, stressing that “the presence of the governor during a crisis situation serves as a source of comfort and reassurance to victims.”
