By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
Environmental Stakeholders within the federal capital territory( FCT) have been asked to brainstorm provide profound solutions that will help tackle challenges of flooding in the Fct.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment Mahmud Kambari, has called on the stakeholders in the sector to rob minds to find lasting solutions to flood challenges in the Federal Captial Territory( FCT)and environs.
He made the disclosure at a Stakeholders’ Meeting on reoccurring annual flooding at Trademore Estate and Environs in Abuja yesterday.
Kambari who was represented by the Director Special Duties, of the ministry , Mrs Adelope Oluwatoyin, said the meeting was apt and cannot be underestimated considering the flooding along river Pyakasa especially its impact on Trademore Estate yearly.
“The annual flood event along this river have been occurring since 2019 and this has cost the nation loss of lives and properties of citizens”.
He said that the flood is attributed to climate change through unusual downpour, urbanisation through population and infrastructural growth.
The flooding of Pyakasa River has affected the economy of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Nigeria at large through the human resources .
“We are losing, market because of flooded in Gosa Community and Farmland that are eroded at Kuje Community.
“Considering the possibility of having more flooding of worse scenario in the future in different parts of FCT due to rate of population growth in FCT and its impact on FCT waterways the Ministry deem it fit to gather all relevant stakeholders together in meeting in order to exchanging ideas that will make FCT save from flooding and encourages sustainable development.”
He said “Mr. President is committed towards ensuring a sustainable quality environment devoid by annual havoc occasioned by flood.
“The administration recognises the need to urgently provide steps to address flood problem and its attendance hardship in the FCT, it is this commitment that necessitated the organisation of this stake holders meeting”, he said.
He however urged stakeholders to share ideas and show the New Zeal towards addressing the flood challenges along Pyakacasa River.
Also speaking, Deputy Director Environmental Services, Division of Safe the Town Development Department, FCDA, Olawuwo Lateef, called on the general public to support the government policy as this will help in addressing erosion control.
“This is very, very crucial if you have the support, most of the problems we’re talking about can be solved. If you love our environments, you love ourselves your environment is you, if you treat the environment in a negative way the impacts are the consequences coming back to us. “The message we have for everybody here that we should please support the policy that will help everybody so that at the end of the day, we will have the focus to glorify. “ He said.
He also lamented that the enforcement of these policies are not really been implemented.
“Decide that the policy that is in an existence is that the enforcement of these policies is not really been implemented. So, it is where we have that I think something good will be forthcoming, but the message we have majorly it is support from all stakeholders, the developers, the residents, and all sorts of people so atvthe end of the day everybody will be happy.” He spoke.
The Represntative of Trade More Estate, Abdul Abubakar appeal to the government to quickly swing into action to come up with solutions to address the menace.
He said if urgent measures are not taken the flooding issue will still occur.
“So now that we are expecting the rains again, definitely all the residents in Trade more are already getting scared of the outcome, so this an opportunity for us really to say our mind on our mind is this, Trade more itself is not where the problem but because of where it is located.
“There are other Estate, that directs their water into this channel, immediately after Trade more where three triple service cover was constructed by the Ecological Fund Office you will find out that there are Estate that encroached into the waterfall thereby impeding the movement of the flow of water. So, whatever recommend at this juncture that, before the rain comes if there’s anything that can be done to these areas, if not definitely this will still come up again.” He added.
