FEMA, FCDA identify illegal structures as major cause of flooding in Abuja
By Owoleye Oluwakayode
The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have identified illegal structures which block waterways as factors responsible for the flooding in some parts of the city.
The Executive Secretary, FCDA, Mr Shehu Ahmad, stated this when he received the management of FEMA, led by its Director-General, Malam Abbas Idriss, on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.
The Secretary disclosed that the two agencies have resolved to reinforce their determination not to allow anybody, no matter how highly placed, to build with impunity in the territory.
He said that the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has directed the immediate removal of such structures.
Ahmad stated that the FCT Minister is concerned about the re-emergence of illegal construction of properties on waterways, adding that the FCT Administration would neither fold its arms nor sit back and allow the loss of lives and properties by innocent residents.
“The FCT Administration named areas like Lokogoma, Dogongada, Trademore and Efab Estates where the illegal structures blocking waterways caused flooding after just four hours of rain on Wednesday.”
He said that the administration would be ready to meet the owners of such illegal properties in court if need be.
“What is happening in the city should serve as enough warning to everybody that NIMET’s 2022 prediction of heavy rainfall during this rainy session is real.
“Therefore, the FCT Minister, Bello, has directed that every constriction on waterways must be removed and anyone who is aggrieved should go to court and we will be ready to meet them there.”
The Secretary said that most of the illegal constructions found to have constricted and blocked waterways were previously removed in 2019 due to the flooding which occurred at that time.
He disclosed that a meeting of relevant Departments and Agencies of the FCT would soon be convened to assess and reinforce earlier resolutions on the issue of flooding in the city.
He further revealed that the FCTA is also considering the award of contract for the full development of the Ring Road II (RR II) which would involve the replacement of the present box culverts with about some bridges.
According to him, “This is part of a permanent solution to the reoccurring flooding around Lokogoma and Galadamawa roundabout.”
Earlier, the Director-General, FEMA, Idriss, had stated that the advent of the rains which NIMET has predicted would actually commence from May 14, as well as the flooding in some parts of the city even before that date, calls for the need for urgent collaboration between the agency and relevant stakeholders.
“This is with a view to ensuring synergy and coordinated response before things get out of hand.”
Idriss attributed the situation of flooding in the city to urbanisation which has given rise to such infractions as building on flood plains and diversion of river courses by some Estate developers.
He appealed to the FCDA as the custodian of the Abuja Master plan to join hands with the agency by providing the necessary backing to forestall the activities of illegal developers who carry out their activities without recourse to the effect of climatic changes.
He appealed to residents, especially motorists, to be patient whenever it rains, saying the rain had to subside to avoid incidents on the roads that could cause unnecessary loss of lives.
