The Nigerian Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA, through its department of Development Control, has commenced swift inventory and removal of structures on waterways to mitigate flooding in Abuja, the nation’s capital city.
The Director in charge of the Department, Mukhtar Galadima disclosed this during the removal of a perimeter fence and other structures on a flood plain in Mabushi District, in Abuja.
Galadima added that officials of the Department are going to identify more locations and start removing structures before the rains begin.
“We need to be more proactive. That’s why we went around some districts of the city, and we noticed some of these developments across flood plains. We can’t wait any longer, as we have to start removing them before the rain fully comes. We have issued directives to all our sector monitors to forward their list of developments on flood plains.
“We are aware that the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has flagged off sensitisation on flooding, and in line with this, we are going to identify these locations and start removing the structures before the rains begin fully. So it is an ongoing exercise, we will keep moving around, take notes and remove where necessary.
“There are no limitations to sensitisation or awareness on why people should not build on waterways because it is disastrous. We have seen the floods and other natural disasters, and their consequences across the globe” he said.
While answering questions on whether there are sustainable punitive measures against such menace, the Director said:
“At a point in time, the FCTA had directed its Legal Secretariat to review in its entirety all legal framework governing developments in the FCT.
“This (blocking of waterways) will definitely be part of the FCT laws and regulations governing development and management of the Territory”.
Emmanuel Ukoh
