TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Search and Rescue Team on Wednesday recovered the body of one Mr. James Odeh aged 35 from a flooded river along Dogon-gada Area, near Efab Housing Estate, Lokogoma District. While warning FCT residents to desist from the acts that could lead to flooding in this rainy season.
It is believed that the victim was attempting to drive through the flooded water in the company of one Mr. Nsendoo Uketar aged 20yrs who has been rescued alive by the FEMA search and rescue team. The vehicle of the victim, a Toyota Corola 2010 model was also rescued from the flooded river.
Saddened by unfortunate incident, the Director General (FEMA) Alh. Idriss Abbas advised residents to stay away from flooded water and avoid driving around flooded sites. According to the FEMA boss, “Most people underestimate the strength of water and the danger it poses” He then urged FCT residents to adopt attitudinal change as key to fighting disaster to the nearest minimum in the FCT.
Also reacting to the NIMET predictions that we should expect heavy rainfall this year which could lead to flooding, the FEMA DG appealed to residents to avoid unwholesome environmental practices especially the indiscriminate waste disposal and building on flood plain as these could block water ways and lead to flooding, he then called on community leaders, religions leaders, to be charged with the responsibility of sensitizing their subjects, especially those living close to flood planes to move to higher ground to avoid being washed away.
Speaking on steps taken by the Agency to curb flooding disasters in the FCT, the FEMA DG said FEMA and some of its relevant stakeholders had earlier in the year embarked on assessment tour to all flooded prone areas in the FCT to identify flash points and to access areas of repairs and improvement. Alh. Idriss further stressed.
