Save us from flood, community begs C’River gov

THE people of Efut-Ikwa clan in Ikot-Ita-Okokon-Ekpeyong community in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State on Tuesday appealed to the state Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, to solve the problem of flooding in the area by constructing road with drainage.

The Head of Efut-Ikwa village, Akamba Kake, said the challenge was becoming enormous for the community to handle.

Kake, who spoke with Southern City News, also pleaded for the provision of potable water.

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He said, “We are faced with a lot of challenges in this locality and you know that living life without basic things like potable water, access road, electricity can make life very difficult, which is why we are appealing to His Excellency, Prof. Ben Ayade, to come to our rescue.”

The community leader said, “We have so far been using community efforts. We built footbridge for us to access the community. We are not saying that we are tired, but we need a little intervention from the government and its agencies.

“We have been making efforts to reach out to them, but we have not got any response. The drainage was done by community effort and there are no roads. During the rainy season, there are some compounds you cannot even have access to. The occupants cannot come out unless they use a canoe; it is that bad.

“The people of Efut Ikwa are very responsible citizens and law-abiding. We have about three polling units in this place and we perform our civic duties and responsibilities. So, I believe we should also be included in the scheme of things by the current administration,” Kake added.

An indigene of the community, Enoh Micah, said, “We are just fortunate that this year’s rain has not been heavy like the previous year; otherwise you would not have been able to enter this place when it rains. No matter the magnitude of the rain, the moment the drains are full, the whole place will be submerged. We stay close to the creeks and the place is swampy.

“We are begging the state government to help us construct a road with drainage and this will help address this flooding challenge. You can imagine coming out from your house with a canoe just because there are no roads, it is quite awkward.”