THE Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has said it will assess flood risk communities to prevent flooding in the territory ahead of the rainy season.
A statement released on Sunday, March 26, by Director General, Abbas Idriss said the assessment of the infrastructural improvements made by the agency and other stakeholders is aimed to mitigating the impact of flooding in the FCT.
Idriss disclosed that the 2023 Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency revealed that FCT and 178 local governments across the country were at risk of high flooding.
Idris stated that the demolition of shanties in parts of the FCT was part of the efforts to prevent flooding by opening waterways to allow the free flow of water.
“All hands are on deck to ensure that flood, even when it happens, will not be devastating. You will see that since the last rainy season, we are still working to remove shanties to open the blocked waterways to allow free flow of water when the rain comes,” he said.
“Assessment and findings on the blockage of waterways with illegal structures helped in 2022, which is why we did not have any fatalities from flooding in the FCT. We are expecting the same this year and we are already working to mitigate the impact of floods.”
The FEMA boss, however, urged residents to cooperate the actions of the agency towards preventing flooding.
The ICIR earlier reported the Federal Government forecasted that 32 states, 178 local government areas (LGAs) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are at risk of heavy flooding in 2023.
Stories with punches holding the powerful accountable. His determination to speak out against corruption and influence the conversation in Nigeria, the surrounding region and the continent inspires him.
