FEMA CONTINUES ASSESSMENT OF FLOOD PRONE AREAS IN THE FCT

As part of measures to mitigate against the ravaging effects of flood disasters in the coming rainy season, the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has visited Dafa community in Kwali Area Council in continuation of its assessment of flood prone areas in the FCT.

The Director General (FEMA), Alh. Abbas Idriss represented by the Deputy Director, Forecasting Response and Mitigation (FRM) Mrs. Florence Nwenegieme during the visit said that the assessment had become imperative considering the bad incident of flooding at the Dafa bridge during the last rainy season, that claimed one life and also cutting off the bridge linking Tunga and Dafa Communities. This incident prevented the communities from conveying their farm produce to the markets last year.

Mrs. Nweregieme disclosed that the Dafa bridge flood incident of last year was life threatening, as FEMA Local Divers had to carry members of the communities and their goods on shoulder high across the bridge.

“FEMA advocate disaster prevention and mitigation rather the relief material distribution that is why we are here to access and see if there are other things to be done to avert a repeat of what happened last year”. She stressed.

Mrs. Nweregieme expressed joy at the immediate response of Government to reconstruct the bridge which is now almost at the point of completion. She said that before now, the FCT Administration had arranged for flying boats to assist the communities cross the bridge.

“With the construction of the bridge almost in completion the boats might no longer be necessary”. She added

She also appreciated members of the community for always adhering and responding to FEMA’s safety advice and warnings, thereby reducing casualty and disaster rate in their community.

Also speaking during the visit, the project Engineer Supervising the bridge construction, Engineer Aba Nasiru affirmed that the bridge under construction was near completion and just awaiting few finishing touches and some embarkment to prevent erosion and washouts.

It is to be recalled that the Flood Assessment Tour to flood prone areas in the FCT for the year was flagged off at Galadimawa Roundabout, on the 31st of March, 2021 as part of FEMA’s preparedness for this year’s rain. The Assessment was carried by a combine team of stakeholders including: Department of Engineering Services, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), FCT Water Board, Facility Maintenance, Satellite Town Development Department (STDD), Area Council Secretariat, All Area Councils, National Orientation Agency (NOA), NEMA Zonal Operation Office,Abuja and the Media.

Other flood prone areas already assessed include Giri and Dagiri all in Gwagwalada Area Council. Trademore Estate and Galadimawa Roundabout.