By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have identified illegal structures that block waterways as factors responsible for the flooding in some parts of the city.
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 at the weekend.
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 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” Hadi said.
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.
