The Akwa Ibom State Government has stepped in to save residents living along the Nung Udoe – Eket highway from the threat of encroaching gully erosion.
The Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof. Eno Ibanga, said the government has mobilised to site a construction company, which specialises in erosion control for immediate intervention.
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Speaking during an on-the-spot assessment of the threat in Uyo, Ibanga said the prompt response was to protect the major road from total collapse.
He said many parts of the state were equally threatened by erosion, emboldened by the rainy season, adding that already the state government has intervened in about 100 roads.
“Akwa Ibom State has many erosion sites because of its tropical location. Though the state government has asked for funds from the federal government to tackle the erosion menace, we cannot wait for the intervention funds before moving into areas with urgent needs.
One of the residents of the affected buildings, Sophia Akpan, said, “there was no sign of the erosion, but we woke up one morning after heavy rain we saw the access road split into two.
“Subsequent rains have caused the road to cut further and we have been living in fear since that incident.’’
