By Olukayode Idowu
As the rainy season draws close, the federal government and prominent stakeholders have brainstormed to put out strategies to advert the perennial erosion and flooding problems in the Federal Capital Territory FCT, particularly in the Trademore Estate, Lugbe.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari at the Stakeholders meeting on the Annual Flooding at Lugbe Trademore Estate and Environs held in Abuja on Tuesday tasked stakeholders to brainstorm and provide possible solutions to avert annual erosion and flooding in the capital city.
The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the Director Special Duties in his office, Mrs, Adelopo Oluwatoyin, reiterated the importance of the meeting considering the incessant flooding along River Pyakasa during annual rainy season and its devastating impact on Trademore Estate and its Envrions.
Kambari noted that, “The annual flood event along this river has been occurring since 2019, which has cost the nation huge loss of lives and property of citizens. the event is attributed to among other things, the following: climate change through unsual downpour, urbanisation through population and infrastructural growth, under sized hydraulic structures, and siltation of hydraulic structures and the Pyakasa River. ”
The flooding, according the the Permanent Secretary, has affected the economy of Federal Capital Territory and Nigeria at large with devastating effect on livelihood and the ecosystem.
He decried the loss of market that was flooded in Goza community and farmlands at Kuje community, noting that the situation if not addressed could be worsen in different parts of FCT due to rate of population growth and its impact of water waves.
He said the ministry deem it fit to gather all relevant stakeholders together in the meeting in order to exchange ideas that will make FCT safe from flooding, and encourages sustainable development.
He asserted Government’s Commitment to safety of lives and properties in the estate and Nigeria at large. “I remind you of the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda towards ensuring a sustainable quality environment devoid of annual havocs occasion by flood, the administration recognises the need to urgently provide steps to assuage the problem and its attendance hardship in the FCT. It is this commitment that necessitated the organisation of the stakeholders meeting.”
Kambari however urged stakeholders to share ideas and show the New Zeal towards addressing the flood challenges along Pyakasa River.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Director, Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department of the Ministry, Mr Dilichukwu Etigbue said the flooding in Trademore Estate has caused huge economic losses to the FCT and the Nation.
He noted that the workshop with the stakehokders is at the instance of his department to take proactive steps to avert the reoccurrence through proper handling of waste and adhering to FG directives and advise on flood warning signals and flood management to help address some of the challenges.
Etigbue said flooding along Pyakasa River has become an annual event with Trademore Estate been its major flash point.
Speaking further he said, as you all are aware, the Department of Erosion, flood and Coastal Zone Management had it’s statutory responsibility of formulating environmental policies, measures that are relevant to solve erosion and flood control management through out the country and this meeting is to enable us have a robust deliberation on ways to avert this annual disaster.
He pointed out that the Ministry has documented the root causes of the erosion which would be shown during the technical session for inputs and way forward for a safer Trademore and other areas affected by flood.
In the same vein, the Deputy Director Environmental Services, Division of Safe the Town Development Department, FCDA, Mr. Lateef Olawuwo called on the general public to support the government policy as this will help in addressing erosion control.
Olawumo disclosed that supporting the FG policy is very crucial as most of the problems we are talking about can be tackled if we adhere to building plan, not tempering with green areas as well as living just and fair without building on flood plains and blocking the drainage.
“If you love our environments, you love yourself because your environment is you, if you treat the environment in a negative way the impacts are the consequences coming back to us. The message we have for everybody here that we should please support the policy that will help everybody so that at the end of the day, we will have the focus to glorify.” He added.
He also pointed out that there should be more enforcement of these policies if we have to enjoy the Environment we all crave for.
“The message we have majorly is support from all stakeholders, the developers, the residents, and all sorts of people so that at the end of the day everybody will be happy.” He concluded.
The representative of Trade More Estate, Mr Abdul Abubakar in his remark, appealed to the government to quickly swing into action to come up with solutions to address the menace.
Abubakar noted that if urgent measures are not taken the flooding issue will still occur.
“So now that we are expecting the rains again, definitely all the residents in Trademore are already getting scared of the outcome, so this an opportunity for us really to say our mind on this, Trademore itself is not where the problem lies, But because of where it is located,” he said.
