Akwa Ibom to commission $50m World Bank drainage in December

Reps constitution review panel opens S/South public hearing

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has assured host communities of the ongoing World Bank-assisted eight-kilometre IBB drainage of completion and commissioning of the project by December this year.

The over 15-year old flood challenge cuts across 17 villages in Uyo, Ibesikpo and Nsit Ibom local councils of the state. The governor gave the assurance after inspecting the $50 million worth project yesterday.

He commended the contractor for pace and quality work.

Emmanuel appreciated the global lender for keying into the state government’s vision of ameliorating the sufferings of the people.

“We are here today (yesterday) to look at this perennial issue of flood that has been existing in this place for over 15 years. We are in government to solve problems. That is why we decided to undertake this eight-kilometre drainage, designed to take floodwater off Uyo, through this channel into major outfall drains. The size of this drainage can take two salon cars side by side.

“It is World Bank-assisted project in partnership with the state government. So, I want to appreciate the bank for partnering the state government because we could not have done it alone. The project you are seeing here is going to cost more than $50m by the time we finish,” he said.

MEANWHILE, the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review has begun the South South public hearing in Uyo.

The lower legislative’s Deputy Speaker and chairman of the committee, Ahmed Idris Wase, while welcoming participants to the two-day event, said the panel was in the zone to address certain aspects of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and find solutions to its multifaceted challenges.