Preventable flood threatens businesses in Uyo

Businesses in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital are being threatened by floods that can be prevented.

Following the downpour on Thursday night that extended to Friday morning, 19th July 2024, out-of-state experts who lodged at Beliana Suites located at 48 Esuene Street, Federal Estate, off Abak Road, demanded their money due to the flood.

“We booked for seven rooms for three nights at the hotel, only to wake up and see the whole compound and street flooded.

“We were supposed to have a training at 8:30 am, until 10:00 am, we were yet to leave Beliana Hotel because of flood. The ride we ordered could not drive in because the entire street is flooded,” one of the hotel guests said.

Another said, “When the rain started at night, water entered my room and everywhere was soaked. I had to call the hotel management and I was relocated to another room. I will never lodge here, in fact, I am moving out to another hotel and I am going to request for refund.”

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A commercial tricycle (keke napep) driver said whenever it rains, they lose customers plying the route because of the flood.

“Every time it rains, this place used to be flooded and the authorities don’t even care. They are supposed to construct good drainages that will channel this waters appropriately,” the keke driver said.

Our Reporter observed that the drainages are shallower and blocked and recommended that larger/or underground drainages should be constructed in the area to avert future flood.