en.Wedoany.com Reported - Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, has announced that the state will develop a new master plan for flood control and drainage to address environmental challenges arising from rapid urbanization.

Speaking to journalists in Uyo, Eno stated that the existing flood management plan is outdated and fails to reflect the state's recent development changes. He directed the Commissioner for Environment to convene environmental experts, engineers, and other relevant stakeholders to draft a modern master plan for flood control and drainage, which will serve as a guiding document for future infrastructure construction and flood mitigation efforts.

Eno also announced the establishment of the "Clean Akwa Ibom Brigade" under the Ministry of Environment, tasked with keeping drainage channels clear and supporting flood control efforts across the state. The governor ordered the demolition of structures obstructing natural drainage routes and warned that illegal buildings would be removed regardless of ownership, status, or approval. He also directed the Ministry of Environment, the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, and the Office of the Attorney General to set up an environmental sanitation court to prosecute violators of environmental sanitation regulations.

Additionally, Eno announced stricter enforcement of monthly environmental sanitation exercises, restricting movement from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on the last Saturday of each month to improve compliance with sanitation measures. He urged residents to complement government investments in drainage infrastructure by keeping their surroundings clean and adhering to environmental regulations, emphasizing that effective flood management requires collective responsibility.

Blocked drainage channels, uncontrolled urban expansion, and development on natural waterways have increased flood risks, damaged infrastructure, and threatened lives, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall. Comprehensive flood control planning, improved drainage infrastructure, and stricter enforcement of environmental regulations remain crucial for building climate-resilient cities and reducing flood risks across Nigeria.