Stakeholders Task To Provide Solutions To Avert Erosion And Flooding
By Zeniat Abubakar Abuja
Stakeholders have been urged to brainstorm and provide possible solutions to help avert erosion and flooding problems in the Federal Capital Territory FCT, particularly in the Trademore Estate.
The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Environment Mr Mahmud Kambari, stated this at the Stakeholders meeting on the Annual Flooding at Trademore Estate and Enviorn held in Abuja the nation’s capital.
The Permanent Secretary who was Represented by the Ministry Director Special Duties, Mrs, Adelope Oluwatoyin, said imperative of the meeting cannot be underestimated considering the flooding along river Pyakacasa, especially its impact on Trademore Estate and its Environment.
“The annual flood event along this river has been occurring since 2019, which has cost the nation huge loss of lives and properties of citizens. the event is attributed to among other things, the following climate change through unsual downpour, urbanisation through population and infrastructural growth, under sized hydraulic structures, and siltation of hydraulic structures and the Pyakacasa River. ” She said.
She said the flooding of the Pyakacasa River has affected the economy of Federal Capital Territory, and Nigeria at large.
” Through the human resources we are losing market that is flooded in Goza community and farmlands that you rotate at Kuje community consider the possibility of having more flooding of war scenario in the future in different parts of FCT due to rate of population growth in FCT, and its impact on FCT water waves, the ministry deem it fit to gather all relevant stakeholders together in meeting in order to exchange ideas that will make FCT safe from flooding, and encourages sustainable development.” .
“May I remind you of the commitment of Mr. President towards ensuring a sustainable quality environment devoid by annual havord occasion by flood, the administration recognises the need to urgently provide steps to a transport problem and its attendance hardship in the fct. It is this commitment that necessitated the organisation of the stakeholders meeting.” She explained
She however urged stakeholders to share ideas and show the New Zeal towards addressing the flood challenges along Pyakacasa River.
Director, Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management, Federal Ministry of
Mr Dilichukwu Etigbue, said the flooding in Trademore Estate has cause huge economic losses to the FCT and the Nation.
He further stressed that the meeting of stakeholders, partners in flood management would help to address some of the challenges.
Mr Etigbue said flooding along Pyakacasa River has become an annual event with Trademore Estate been its major flash point.
“It is a great honour for me to work on you to the to these stakeholders meeting on the reoccurring flooding along the Pyakacasa River with emphasis on trade, more estate and this environment as you all are aware, the Department of Erosion, flood and Coastal Zone Management of the Federal Ministry of Environment its statutory in charged with the responsibility of formulating environmental policies, measures that are relevant to solve erosion and flood control management throughout the country.” He spoke.
Deputy Director Environmental Services, Division of Safe the Town Development Department, FCDA, Mr Olawuwo Lateef called on the general public to support the government policy as this will help in addressing erosion control.
“This is very, very crucial if you have the support, most of the problems we’re talking about can be solved. If you love our environments, you love ourselves your environment is you, if you treat the environment in a negative way the impacts are the consequences coming back to us. The message we have for everybody here that we should please support the policy that will help everybody so that at the end of the day, we will have the focus to glorify. “ He said.
He also lamented that the enforcement of these policies are not really been implemented.
“Decide that the policy that is in an existence is that the enforcement of these policies is not really been implemented. So, it is where we have that I think something good will be forthcoming, but the message we have majorly it is support from all stakeholders, the developers, the residents, and all sorts of people so atvthe end of the day everybody will be happy.” He spoke.
Represntative of Trade More Estate, Mr Abdul Abubakar appeal to the government to quickly swing into action to come up with solutions to address the menace.
He said if urgent measures are not taken the flooding issue will still occur.
“So now that we are expecting the rains again, definitely all the residents in Trade more are already getting scared of the outcome, so this an opportunity for us really to say our mind on our mind is this, Trade more itself is not where the problem but because of where it is located.
“There are other Estate, that directs their water into this channel, immediately after Trade more where three triple service cover was constructed by the Ecological Fund Office you will find out that there are Estate that encroached into the waterfall thereby impeding the movement of the flow of water. So, whatever recommend at this juncture that, before the rain comes if there’s anything that can be done to these areas, if not definitely this will still come up again.” He added.
Oyenike Oyeniyi
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