EKET, AKWA IBOM — Recent floods have wreaked havoc across parts of Eket Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, destroying homes, farmland, and property, with local residents calling for immediate government intervention.
One of the worst-hit victims, Mrs Gift Udia, a poultry farmer and mother of four, said she lost over 500 birds after torrential rainfall caused a section of her farm’s perimeter fence to collapse, allowing floodwaters to overrun the facility.
“I woke up in the morning to find out that all 500 birds in my farm have died due to rain water that pushed down the fence and entered the farm,” she told reporters in Eket on Friday.
The flooding, which affected several areas including Udok, Udofa, Essien Imoh, Idua, and Almighty Roads, left extensive damage to residential properties and small businesses.
Udia, who revealed that her farm was established using borrowed funds, said the disaster has not only destroyed her investment but left her facing a mounting debt burden.
“I borrowed to establish the farm. I am left to repay loan without making any profit,” she lamented, urging both state and federal emergency response agencies to assist in mitigating the economic impact.
Also affected is Mr Daniel Inyang, a resident of Udok Street, whose home was submerged, resulting in the destruction of personal belongings worth millions of naira.
“I lost mattresses, beds, radio, television, chairs and tables. Even foodstuff and kitchen utensils were soaked in the flood,” he said.
Inyang added that multiple streets around his area suffered similar damage, with entire households left counting their losses. He appealed to relevant authorities to dispatch relief materials to affected families.
“We need support. Many families have lost everything. We are calling on the government to help us recover from this,” he said.