Agency mulls eviction, demolition of homes on flood plains in Abuja

As a precautionary measure against floods expected between August and September, the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is considering the forceful eviction of those residing in flood prone areas as well as demolishing homes built on flood plains.

This is against the backdrop of recent warning to those residing on flood prone areas to voluntarily relocate or be forced out before the flood comes.

The Agency, in a statement signed by its Director General, Abass G. Idriss, said “in its primary responsibility of saving lives and property of residents, the FCT Administration may have no other option than to carry out forceful eviction and demolition for failure to comply with this earlier warning.

FEMA however blamed the floods on the attitude of residents who violated water ways in different ways.

The statement reads in part: “The Agency has observed that indiscriminate dumping of waste on drainages and water ways still persist against repeated warnings from relevant Agencies and Departments.

FEMA has observed that many residents built on (or along) water ways and flood plains.”
Aside the relocation warning, FEMA admonished residents to take proactive measures, by embarking on clearing of drainages and waterways for free flow of rain water.

Also, residents should desist from further construction of houses or dumping of wastes on water ways or river banks, including farming activities.

And a toll free National Emergency Number of 112 has been made available in case of flooding and other emergencies,” it stressed.