Abuja records 82 flood cases in 2020 – FEMA

The FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has revealed that it saved 421 lives and properties worth over N102,851,000 from 82 flood cases it responded to across Abuja, nation’s capital city, in 2020.

The agency also revealed that it responded to 584 emergency calls on fire outbreaks from which 2029 lives were saved, while 15 lives were lost and properties worth over N1 billion was salvaged.

Making this disclosure yesterday, Director General of FEMA, Alhaji Abbas Idriss, equally disclosed that in 2020, the Search and Rescue Teams of FEMA responded to 53 road crash emergencies, which saved 89 lives and properties worth over N36 million in the FCT.

Idriss spoke at the 2021 Flood Outlook and Review of FCT Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP), organised by the Agency in Abuja.

He noted that the agency also got 40 calls on psycho-social issues at the Internally Displaced Persons settlement’s and all were attended to without loss of life.

According to him: “In summary, the Search and Rescue Team received and responded to a total of 768 distressed calls, out of which 27 were false alarm.

“ On the same course, the FCT experience two building collapse in which three lives were lost, 34 lives rescued, while properties worth over  N84 million was salvaged.

“ Also in 2020, the agency responded to two cases of electrocution. This was as a result of tree branches coming in contact with power lines.”

The FEMA boss however, appealed to the Department of Parks and Recreation to intensify its monitoring activities to ensure that trees close to power lines are pruned to avoid loss of lives.

He said the event was a proactive step aimed at strategizing in terms of prevention, mitigation and response to flood prediction released by the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency.

Similarly, the Director General, National Hydrological Services Agency, Mr. Clement Nze, who commended FEMA for taken proactive measures to mitigate disaster in FCT, stressed that the agency was the most active and proactive emergency management organisation in the country.

Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr. Olusade Adesola said the FCT Administration had continued to provide resources to maintain critical city infrastructure such as drainages and lighting up dark alleys.

Adesola also implored the Area Councils that are yet to constitute their emergency management committees to do so with utmost urgency.

“ This is important and neccessary because gaps on the part of Area Councils can undermine the strength of the FCT Emergency Response Plan,” the Permanent Secretary stressed.