The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has warned of an imminent flood disaster in Jahi and Gishiri Districts, Abuja, due to building on waterways.

The acting director-general (DG) of FEMD, Florence Wenegieme, issued the warning in Abuja on Friday after the department conducted a risk assessment exercise in the areas.

Ms Wenegieme said the assessment revealed that residents had built houses on waterways and floodplains while drainages were blocked in Jahi and Gishiri.

According to her, this can lead to flooding, which she described as a disaster waiting to happen.

Ms Wenegieme said, “Most of the waterways have been obstructed. Residents have built houses on waterways; they have encroached into streams; they have encroached into rivers.

“As you can see, the natural water course has been blocked; even the green areas have been overtaken by illegal buildings.”

She explained that the risk assessment exercise enabled FEMD to develop strategic mitigating measures against flooding and other disasters and effectively respond to emergencies.

Ms Wenegieme said FEMD would write to the Department of Development Control to visit the areas to ensure all developments were authorised and in conformity with the Abuja master plan.

The DG called on FCT residents to desist from building on waterways and sought the cooperation of the residents in protecting lives and properties following an increased volume of rainfall.

In a related development, FEMD has trained 50 staff and volunteers on disaster response in line with global best practices.

Ms Wenegieme said the simulation training, which began on Thursday, was tagged “Disaster Response Simulation Exercise,” and focused on water safety, rescue, building collapses, and fire outbreaks.

She said the simulation exercise was organised to enhance the capacity of the staff and volunteers.

“We have local divers from the six area councils; as such, we need to polish their swimming skills and teach them the modern way of carrying out rescue operations during flooding,” she said.

Ms Wenegieme thanked the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and the FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, for their unflinching support for FEMD.

(NAN)