Over 1000 residents of IwuoOkpom community in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom have been rendered homeless by tidal waves from the Atlantic ocean.
Speaking with newsmen yesterday, the Village Head of the area, Obong Okon Akpan Owong, said the Atlantic Ocean encroached into people’s houses when it overflowed its bank. He said that about 1,000 people have been displaced following the incident, noting that the encroachment of the Atlantic ocean has caused hardship to the community.

Akpan Owong said the shore protection contract awarded by the Federal Government to two contractors has failed as it could not check the incursion of the ocean surge.
Contract for shore protection, according to the traditional ruler was awarded in 1992, to Kris Nick, Construction Company (KNCC), and Smith Engineering in 2006 but not much was achieved.
“The contractors handling the shore protection contract in Iwuo Okpom are unable to carry out such contract satisfactorily.

“Some of the contractors after collecting mobilization fees, refuseto show up at the site,’ Akpanowong said.
Akpanowong called on the Federal Government to come to their aid, saying that socio-economic activities have been affected in the area.
Also speaking, Chief John Etim, Chairman of IwuoOkpom Village Council, said the flood has eroded several acres of land within the community describing the situation as unfortunate and appealed to the contractors handling the shore protection project to urgently revisit it.


http://leadership.ng/news/250913/ocean-wave-renders-scores-homeless-akwa-ibom