The FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says the ongoing demolition of structures blocking waterways would continue beyond the rainy season to prevent flooding in the territory.

The director-general of FEMA, Abbas Idriss, stated this at a news conference to kick start activities to mark the 2022 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on Wednesday in Abuja.

“This year is different from the previous years, you could see that a lot of demolition of structures blocking the waterways are ongoing, and that is going to be sustained even beyond the rainy season so that we will keep the FCT very safe,” he said.

Mr Idriss said human-induced activities caused floods, adding that the agency was able to mitigate the impact of the perennial heavy floods associated with areas like, Lugbe Trademore Estate, Dutse, Nyanya, EFAB Estate Lokogoma and Apo-Dutsen.

He commended FCT Minister Muhammad Bello, the Minister of State Ramatu Aliyu and the permanent secretary of FCTA, Olusade Adesola, for supporting FEMA kn discharging its mandate without hindrance.

Mr Idriss said temperature changes caused changes in rainfall patterns, often resulting in severe and frequent storms, flooding, landslides and destruction of houses and communities.

According to him, in the FCT, devastating flash floods and uncontrollable soil erosion had taken their toll on farmlands and communities, resulting in farmlands being washed away.

“According to the 2022 seasonal climate prediction by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency(NIMET), rainfall in the FCT falls within the range of 1190 mm to 1590mm, slightly higher than that of last year.

“In spite of the heavy rains, there has been no loss of lives from flooding in the FCT. This is because of deliberate measures put in place by FEMA to mitigate the impact of the rains this year,” Mr Idriss said.

The director-general disclosed that between January and September, the major disasters responded to by the agency through its toll-free 112 emergency line were building collapse, flooding and fire incidents.

He reiterated the agency’s commitment to reducing disasters for a safe and happy FCT, adding that the agency’s personnel were working round the clock to keep the territory safe.

On her part, Florence Wenegieme, the acting director, Forecasting Response Mitigation of FEMA, said, “the agency does not believe in distributing relief materials, but preventing and mitigating disasters through early warnings.”

(NAN)