The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency, (FEMA), has called for stronger collaboration with the Federal Capital Development Authority,(FCDA) to address flooding in the FCT.
The Director General of FEMA, Abbas Idriss made the call when he led a Management Team of the Agency on a courtesy call to the Major Technical Partners, FCDA in the Development and Management of the FCT.
The FEMA DG said that, as a Coordinating Agency on both human and material Resources on Disaster Management and Emergencies has some limitations, noting that such collaboration would greatly reduce the devastating impact of floods in the FCT.
While expressing worry over incidents of flooding in some parts of the City, before the onset of rains, Idriss stressed the need for a proactive effort to save lives and property.
“Previous assessment shows infractions, diversion of water, building on water ways, and many other distortions to the Abuja Master plan. If we are going to build, let us build based on the building codes. FCDA as the Custodians of the Development of Abuja should bring all Stakeholders together to do the needful in addressing these distortions,” he said.
The FEMA boss also emphasized the need for Estates and Communities in the FCT to establish response plans and own up to their environment “We can help them develop a response plan.
“Unless the community buys into this, we cannot do much. They will be able to know the dos and don’t. And will not allow anybody to come and build and block their waterways.”
