EKET FARMLAND FLOODING: EKET FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY MEDIA FORUM CALLS FOR URGENT GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION

PRESS STATEMENT

EKET FARMLAND FLOODING: EKET FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY MEDIA FORUM CALLS FOR URGENT GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION

Eket, Akwa Ibom State – October 4, 2026

The Eket Federal Constituency Media Forum (EFCMF) has expressed deep concern over the devastating flood that has submerged about 37 hectares of farmland in Ikot Abasi community, Eket Local Government Area, leaving crops, factory buildings and residential structures severely affected.

The Forum, led by its Chairman, Comrade Enobong Nsima, undertook an on-the-spot assessment of the disaster on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Danenada Farms and adjoining farm settlements, where it witnessed firsthand the scale of destruction.

We are profoundly saddened that over 12 large-scale farm entrepreneurs, including Danenada Farms owned by Mr. Daniel Essien, have lost investments worth millions of Naira. According to information gathered, over 27,000 Malaysia Supergene palm seedlings, 10,000 NIFOR palm seedlings, coconut, pepper and tomato nurseries, 2 hectares of transplanted tomatoes, over 50 plots of early-planted cassava, 4,700 yam capacity, pineapple, ginger, plantain, banana, bitter kola and cocoa plantations have been completely wiped out. Oil palm and cassava processing factories have also been submerged for over two weeks, with water levels still rising.

Most disturbing is the plight of about 47 permanent workers and several trainees of Danenada Farms who are now stranded, with their means of livelihood threatened.

While this may be attributed to climatic conditions and described as a natural calamity, its impact on food security, employment, and the local economy is enormous. Mr. Essien and other affected farmers are not portfolio farmers; they are practical farmers contributing significantly to food sufficiency not only in Akwa Ibom State but in markets across Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the country. Their enterprise aligns directly with the tree crop revolution and ARISE Agenda of the administration of His Excellency, Governor Umo Bassey Eno, who is himself a farmer.

In light of the above, the Eket Federal Constituency Media Forum hereby:

1. Sympathizes with Mr. Daniel Essien and all affected farmers, residents and business owners in Ikot Abasi community.

2. Appeals to His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, Ph.D., the Akwa Ibom State Government, the State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, AKADEP, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other relevant intervention agencies to urgently intervene to drain the submerged farmlands and provide relief and recovery support to the victims.

3. Calls for the immediate constitution of a committee of environmental and agricultural experts to ascertain the root cause of the flooding, assess the safety of the area for continued residential and agricultural use, and recommend long-term preventive measures to forestall future occurrence.

4. Urges well-meaning individuals, corporate bodies, NGOs and development partners to support the affected farmers in reviving their businesses.

The Forum commends the farmers for their resilience and commitment to agriculture and assures them that it will continue to draw public attention to their plight until adequate intervention is received.

We remain confident that the responsive and compassionate administration of Governor Umo Eno will act swiftly to mitigate this disaster.

Signed:

Comrade Enobong Nsima
Chairman

Comrade Ifiok Itiaba
Secretary

For: Eket Federal Constituency Media Forum (EFCMF)

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