The Niger government has asked residents who built houses on waterways to vacate with immediate effect to avert flooding.

The deputy governor, Yakubu Garba, gave the directive on Wednesday, during an inspection visit to some of the communities affected by flood, following a heavy downpour on Tuesday night in Minna.

Mr Garba also directed the state urban development board, the State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) and the State Environmental Protection Agency (NISEPA), to sensitise people living on waterways to relocate to safer areas.

“I sympathise with people affected by last night’s flood, especially those whose properties have been affected.

“As government, it is our obligation to ensure that lives and property are saved.

“As such, I have given a matching order to relevant government agencies to inspect houses and structures built on waters ways and ask all the occupants to vacate such premises.

“They are also to ensure that structures, especially shops built close to drainages, vacate with immediate effect.

“This is to avoid future re-occurrence of flood disaster,” he said.

The deputy governor further advised residents who acquired lands on waterways against developing such lands due to the impending danger.

He also advised residents to desist from dumping refuse on waterways to prevent flood.

Ahmad Bako, general manager, urban development board, said that most of the structures on waterways were already marked as illegal structures.

Mr Bako added that the owners were already served with notices to vacate.

“The owners of the structures do not have development permits, as such, we will implement the executive order with immediate effect,” he said.

Some of the areas inspected were Brighter Road, New Market in Maitumbi, Gurara and Gbaganu communities.

(NAN)