Floods: FCTA vows to clear infractions on waterways

By Stanley Onyekwere

In order to mitigate incidents of flash floods in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during rainy season, the FCT Administration has vowed to remove all obstructions  to the free flow of water in the Territory.

This move, was revealed as three residents reportedly caught in flash floods following Monday’s heavy downpour, were rescued by local divers stationed by FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in red flag areas of the Territory.

Making this disclosure yesterday, Director General, Alhaji Abbas Idriss, noted that the FCTA ,under the leadership of Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello has zero tolerance for infractions on waterways and any violations to the FCT Master plan, which could result in the loss of lives and properties.

Idriss, while reacting to flash floods recorded in some parts of the FCT  following Monday’s rainfall, Idriss, said, there is no going back on the removal exercise, just as  it did a few years back. 

The DG, who directed an assessment tour of the affected areas informed  that the heavy floods which totally submerged the access road to Dogongada community in the Lokogoma District  were  as a result of the pool of water from Apo District.

He urged residents to respect the Abuja master plan, the building codes and environmental precautions in order to stay alive in the community.

Leading the Search and Rescue team on an assessment tour, Acting Director, Forecasting Response and Mitigation, Mrs Florence Wenegieme informed  that the heavy floods at Apo Dutse road which affected  residents living at Amina Court, Brains and Hammers was traceable to narrow box culvert and an ongoing construction along the river bank.

Wenegieme appealed to residents not to drive in heavy pools of water, but to wait and allow the water subside.

She added that FEMA would soon embark on the posting of early warning signs in vulnerable areas.