10/07/2026
FLOODING IN UYO: GOVERNMENT ALONE IS NOT TO BLAME — OUR ROAD SIDE TRADERS ATTITUDE MATTERS TOO
By Sambo, Ndifreke (NAS MEDIA HOUSE)
Every rainy season, the issue of flooding in Uyo and other parts of Akwa Ibom State dominates public discussion. The first reaction of many people is to blame the government. While government has a responsibility to provide and maintain drainage infrastructure, it is unfair to ignore the role that residents themselves play in causing the very flooding they complain about.
One of the biggest contributors to flooding is the indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage channels. Across Uyo, many roadside traders throw vegetable leaves, fruit peels, nylons, cartons, and other waste directly into gutters while carrying out their daily business. Instead of disposing of waste properly, the drains become dumping sites, preventing the free flow of rainwater.
A good example is around Udoudoma Junction along Oron Road, where roadside trading activities often obstruct drainage channels. Similar situations can be observed around Ikot Oku Ikono Junction, where blocked gutters reduce the capacity of drains to carry stormwater during heavy rainfall.
Along Ikot Ekpene Road, particularly around Ikpa Road, many fruit sellers leave behind heaps of fruit waste that eventually find their way into the drainage system. Around IBB Junction by the State Secretariat and in several other busy commercial areas, waste generated by daily business activities frequently ends up in gutters instead of waste bins.
Another common practice is sweeping sand, leaves, and debris from business premises directly into roadside gutters. Many street cleaners and shop owners unintentionally contribute to the problem by pushing dirt into drainage channels. When gutters become filled with sand and debris, rainwater cannot flow freely, and flooding becomes inevitable.
In many residential areas, some homeowners even connect bathroom wastewater directly into public drains. This encourages the growth of weeds and deposits that gradually block the channels. In several communities, gutters have become overgrown with weeds and have practically turned into bushes because residents neglect their maintenance.
Government has invested resources in constructing roads and drainage systems across many parts of Akwa Ibom State. However, infrastructure alone cannot solve flooding if citizens fail to protect and maintain what has been provided.
The situation can be compared to receiving a new car as a gift. Would anyone expect the person who gave them the car to continue servicing and maintaining it forever? Certainly not. Ownership comes with responsibility. Likewise, once government provides public infrastructure, residents also have a civic duty to protect and maintain it.
This is not to suggest that government has no responsibilities. Authorities should continue to improve drainage systems, clear blocked channels, enforce environmental sanitation laws, and invest in flood-control measures where necessary. At the same time, citizens must recognize that preventing flooding requires cooperation between government and the public.
The solution begins with every resident. Let us stop throwing refuse into gutters. Let us stop sweeping sand into drainage channels. Let us discourage illegal roadside dumping and avoid connecting household wastewater into public drains. Community leaders, market associations, and environmental agencies should work together to educate people on proper sanitation practices.
Flooding is not caused by government alone. In many cases, it is the result of poor maintenance, careless waste disposal, and neglect by those who benefit from the infrastructure. If we truly want a cleaner and flood-free Uyo, we must change our attitude, protect public facilities, and play our part in keeping our environment clean.
Government has played its part in many areas. It is now time for residents to play theirs. Together, we can reduce flooding and build a cleaner, healthier, and more beautiful Akwa Ibom State.
