In a bid to tackle the recurring erosion and flooding issues plaguing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, stakeholders have been summoned to brainstorm and propose viable solutions. The call to action came from Mahmud Adam Kambari, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, during a recent gathering addressing the Annual Flooding at Lugbe Trademore Estate and Environs.
Represented by Adelopo Oluwatoyin, the Director Special Duties in his office, Kambari underscored the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the dire consequences of the perennial flooding along River Pyakasa during the rainy season, particularly its devastating impact on Trademore Estate and surrounding areas.
“The annual flood event along this river has been occurring since 2019, resulting in significant loss of lives and property,” Kambari stated. He attributed the phenomenon to various factors including climate change-induced erratic rainfall patterns, rapid urbanization, inadequate infrastructure, and siltation of hydraulic structures along the Pyakasa River.
The repercussions of these floods extend beyond immediate losses, affecting the economy of the FCT and the nation as a whole, disrupting livelihoods and damaging the ecosystem. According to Ibrahim Haruna, Head of the Press and Public Relations Unit, the Ministry is deeply concerned about the potential for future flooding scenarios in different parts of the FCT due to population growth and its impact on waterways.
“The Ministry deemed it fit to gather all relevant stakeholders together in this meeting to exchange ideas that will make the FCT safe from flooding and encourage sustainable development,” Haruna emphasized.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property, Kambari reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes environmental sustainability. He stressed the administration’s resolve to address the transportation challenges and associated hardships in the FCT, citing this commitment as the driving force behind convening the stakeholders’ meeting.
While acknowledging past efforts, Kambari urged stakeholders to demonstrate renewed zeal in tackling the flood challenges along the Pyakasa River, emphasizing the importance of collective action and innovative solutions to mitigate the impact of future flooding incidents.
