A'Ibom Government reclaims disaster prone area at Ewet Housing Extension

By Osondu Ahirika 

The Akwa Ibom State Government has moved to evacuate residents of a disaster prone area and reclaimed the portions of land on Line D at Ewet Housing Extension, warning against any form of trespass in the affected area.

The Commissioner for Works, Mr Ephraim lnyangeyen disclosed this to newsmen, while inspecting the ongoing  road construction on Edet Akpan Avenue and some houses at line D,Ewet Housing Extension, which have been submerged by by flood due to the heavy downpour on Tuesday night.

Mr lnyangeyen who was showed round the affected houses by the Managing Director of Bulletin Construction, the Contractor handling the road project, directed that, the affected area be cordoned off and the affected residents be relocated immediately to another place at government expense.

The Works Commissioner called on the residents of the affected houses to co-operate with government and relocate as their houses will be valued and compensation paid as soon as possible to enable them have an alternative permanent structure.

Mr lnyangeyen said the relocation became necessary to save lives and properties, as the next heavy downpour cannot be predicted, and which could endanger the lives of the affected residents. He observed that, the new level of the road is the same with the roof of the affected houses and charged them to move out for their own good morning as well as, to enable government complete the road construction.

The commissioner who sympathized with the affected house owners said it is the determination of the present Administration to find a permanent solution to the flood problem in the area, hence the road construction.

Commissioner Inyangeyen stated that the reclaimed portion will become a recreation Centre, and warned against any form of trespass, stressing that, the land now belongs to government.

According to the commissioner,16 roads with side drains are ongoing around the Ewet Housing Extension to channel the flood water properly to the main drain on Edet Akpan Avenue, even as he pointed out that, on completion of the roads, the flood problem around the area will be a thing of the past.

Some of the residents lauded the immediate intervention of government in coming to their aid. The commissioner later moved to inspect the level of work done at Akparen  Street, and Afia Etoi streets road projects, off Ikot Abasi Street all in Uyo Local Government Area.