Group Raises Concern Over Devastating Flood Crisis in Uyo Urban Communities
…As ActionAid Nigeria, Clement Isong Foundation Back Advocacy
A pro-society group in Akwa Ibom State known as the Ambeghe Movement, in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria and the Clement Isong Foundation (CIF), has raised alarm over the worsening flood and gully erosion crisis affecting several communities in the Uyo Local Government Area, calling for urgent government intervention to halt the growing destruction of lives, property and livelihoods in affected areas.
The call for swift intervention in affected communities followed a youth-led environmental evidence-gathering project embarked upon by the civil society organizations and was carried out across Nsukara Offot, Ikot Ntuen Offot, and Obio Imo to document the impact of recurring flooding and environmental degradation while generating evidence to support advocacy for sustainable environmental solutions to mitigate the challenges.
The exercise was led by its team lead, Comrade Ini-obong Uko, project coordinator and the Allied People's Movement (APM) House of Assembly candidate for Uyo State Constituency. He was joined by the president of the Ambeghe Movement, Mr. Ediongseyene Ndunpresidentobong; environmental and human rights defender Peace Bob; among other volunteers committed to advancing environmental justice and climate resilience in the state.
The team commenced its field engagement at Nsukara Offot, where members paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the village head, Eteidong Illustrious (Sir) Eyo Asuquo, who, alongside members of his village council, welcomed the delegation and commended the initiative for drawing attention to the environmental challenges confronting the community. During the visit, a town hall meeting was held attended by community leaders, women, youths, and other residents as the inquiry team engaged, conducted vox-pop interviews, toured affected areas, and documented photo and video evidence showing widespread disaster caused by gully erosion.
Residents recounted years of hardship resulting from persistent flooding, lamenting the destruction of homes, farmlands, and sources of livelihood. Women, in particular, expressed fears over the safety of their children, while community members disclosed that the recurring disaster has claimed lives, displaced families, and continues to worsen with every rainy season.
In Ikot Ntuen Offot, residents blamed their lingering plight on a poorly executed drainage system that was terminated midway during road construction, causing floodwaters to flow into surrounding homes and making movement difficult when it rains. An emotional moment unfolded when Mrs. Enobong Udout Asuquo broke into tears recounting the ordeal faced by her family and neighbours, disclosing that several houses, including hers, remain under serious threat of collapse as advancing erosion continues to hit their foundations.
Another field assessment at the Obio Imo community revealed an even more disturbing reality. The team encountered abandoned homes, deserted church buildings, and clear signs of large-scale displacement, with many residents forced to relocate after years of relentless flooding and severe gully erosion plaguing the area.
Addressing the press after the exercise on June 24, 2026, Mr. Ndunobong, the president of the movement, described the findings as deeply troubling, stressing that urgent government intervention is needed to protect vulnerable residents and villages from further devastation. He reaffirmed the organization's commitment to promoting community-driven advocacy targeted at sustainable development for rural dwellers.
On his part, Comrade Ini-obong Uko, the coordinator, acknowledged the Ambeghe Movement's efforts alongside collaborators in amplifying the voices of affected residents, expressing confidence that the evidence gathered would catalyze meaningful engagement with government agencies, development partners, and critical stakeholders. Uko observed that flooding and gully erosion have become significant threats to lives, infrastructure, livelihoods, and sustainable development across many communities in Akwa Ibom State, warning that the situation demands coordinated and long-term solutions rather than temporary responses.
