The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, said it is perfecting strategies to help curb flood and other disasters across the territory.
Speaking at the third quarter briefing, last week, the Director General of the agency, Abbas Idriss, said FEMA is concerned with flood prone areas especially in the suburbs where the disaster is human induced.
He said the agency had initiated a sensitisation programme where stakeholders usually meet to reappraise measures to tackle fire, flood and other disasters in the outskirts of Abuja, adding that FEMA would continue to work with strategic stakeholders in averting disasters.
He explained that the agency is concerned with flood prone areas especially in the suburbs where the disaster is human induced, and would continue to work with strategic stakeholders in averting disasters.
According to him, most residents in rural areas dump waste in drainages and unauthorised places that create avenue for flooding.
He said during the period under review, the agency carried out the needs assessment of victims of floods and fire disasters, which 85 households were affected by the floods in Dutse Makaranta, Dutse Baupama and Dutse Sagbayi.
“At Dutse Apo near Cedar Crest hospital, 26 households were affected by the floods. In most of the households, vehicles were submerged and houses flooded. We intend to commence the distribution of relief materials like food and none food items to the victims to cushion the effect of the floods”
On fire incident, Idriss disclosed that the needs assessment carried out after the Karimo market fire showed that approximately 400 shops were razed down.
He said the agency through its department of Relief and Rehabilitation impacted displaced vulnerable in the FCT to give them a sense of belonging.
“A cursory look at some of our interventions in emergency situations in the FCT between January and September this year. Major disasters we responded to on our toll free 112 emergency number are building collapse, flooding and fire incidents.
“We have activated other emergency agencies to the scene of the building collapse at Kubwa. 5 of the 7 victims trapped in the rubble of the collapsed building were rescued, 2 persons were however fatally injured during the incident.
“A major fire outbreak at the Government Girls Secondary School, Dutsen Alhaji, thank fully recorded no casualties, the fire however destroyed student’s books, uniforms, foodstuffs, mattresses etc.
“FEMA also coordinated the rescue of two persons trapped -in a tunnel by Katampe along Kubwa /Suleja expressway. 1 person was rescued alive. The second casualty was fatally injured.”
