Flood: Residents warned against depositing used plastic containers in drainages

By Ukpono Ukpong, Abuja

In a bid to sensitize residents and communities of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the preventive measures to avoid the impending flood in the territory, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa has warned against dumping used plastic containers in drainages and gutters which will cause blockage and disrupt the free flow of water.

Sir Ohaa gave the warning in his Sallah message to the residents of the Federal Capital Territory.

While expressing sympathies of the FCTA to residents who were negatively impacted by the recent flood incidences in parts of the territory, he reiterated his call for developers to always abide by the provisions of the FCT masterplan when erecting structures.

“We call on residents to recognise the danger of flooding and take steps to prevent it by not disposing single use plastic bottles and containers on the roads and streets especially during the celebrations due to the tendency of those items to block the drainages and gutters thereby contributing to the severe flood problems currently facing the FCT.”

Lamenting that despite repeated sensitization and awareness programmes, many residents still dump waste in drainages and other prohibited locations, which result in construction or blockage of waterways, Permanent Secretary warned against such practice adding that defaulters will be punished.

Ohaa reiterated his unflinching commitment and support to policies and programmes in pursuit of public safety including flood prevention and mitigation.

Furthermore, he reminded residents of the FCT that they had an obligation to work and pray for the unity and indivisibility of the country because that was what the FCT symbolized in Nigeria.

Similarly, he urged all residents to use the occasion to meditate and give expression to the teachings and lifestyle of Prophet Muhammad, Sir Ohaa also asked them to pray for His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, for wisdom, courage and good health in the quest to take Nigeria to desired levels of socio, economic and political development.

Recall that last week, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, raised concerns over reports from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agencies (NIHSA), daily monitoring of flood water level of River Niger at Lokoja which showed that the water level since 8th July has exceeded the level recorded in 2012 and 2018 after a comparative analysis of same period.

The Director General FCT Emergency Management Agency, Mr Abas Idris, made the disclosure at the Emergency Stakeholders Forum on flood mitigation and response Coordination in Abuja.

Mr Idris, said it became imperative to sensitise residents and communities on measures that heighten flood risks considering the proximity of the FCT to Lokoja adding that the consequences are predictable, especially looking back at the 2012 flood incident.

“This information is coming on the heels of its 2019 Annual Flood Outlook which declared 74 Local Government Areas in the country as having a high probability of experiencing flood, while 600 Local government Areas are under threat of flood”, said the DG.

He revealed that, the forum would provides them with another opportunity to inject new ideas not only to cope effectively with the impending flood but to reduce to the nearest minimum recurrent flood incidents in the FCT.

“In the course of our deliberations, there is the need for a critical review of past flood incidents and our approach to prevention, response and mitigation.

This is necessary in order to further strengthen those areas where we delivered and improve on others where there were lapses”, he explained further.