Flood Alert: FCT Communities Told to Move to Safer Ground
The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has launched a flood awareness campaign in Kuje, Kwali, and Abaji area councils.
This comes after experts warned that eight places in the FCT are at high risk of flooding this year. The warning came from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and NiMET.
During a visit to the palace of the Gomo of Kuje, Alhaji Haruna Tanko Jibrin, FEMD’s Acting Director-General, Engr. Abdulrahman Mohammed, advised people living near rivers, especially in Pegi, to move to higher ground.
“If you see dark clouds or the weather starts changing, leave your farm immediately,” he warned. “Also, do not let children play near rivers during the rainy season.”
He was represented by Mark Nyam, who heads Forecasting, Response, and Mitigation at FEMD.
The Gomo of Kuje promised to share the message with over 20 nearby communities.
In Kwali, during a visit to the palace of Etsu Kwali, Ayedoo Luka Nizassan, FEMD mentioned that Gumbo, DabiBako, and Ashara are also at risk. Young people and volunteers were asked to keep an eye on water levels and call the emergency number 112 if flooding starts.
The Etsu Kwali said he would pass the message to all 15 district heads in the area.
The same warning was given in Abaji. While meeting with the Etsu Yaba, Alhaji Aliyu Yakubu Ndatsu, the FEMD boss reminded people living in Yaba, Gurdi, and Gawu that there is already a safer location set aside for them since 2014.
He also told local volunteers to spread the word and block any unsafe bridges if water levels rise.
The Chiroma of Yaba, Alhaji Audu Yaba, thanked the team and asked the FCT Administration for help, saying floods last year destroyed many farms and crops.
