PRESS RELEASE:CLIMATE CHANGE: FCT MINISTER COMMISERATES WITH AFFECTED FAMILY, AS ABUJA WITNESSES ANOTHER SET OF FLOOD FATALITIES

The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has directed the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to take quick measures to investigate the report of the fatal flood incident that took place in the early hours of today to determine its root cause with a view to preventing future occurrences.  

Malam Musa Bello gave this marching order when he received report of a flash flood incident in which a man and his two children were swept in the flood when the SUV truck in which they were riding attempted to pass the raging flood in Lokogoma near Apo District of Abuja.

The man was reported to be taking his children – a son and a daughter, to summer classes at about 8 O’clock the fatal morning.

Addressing news men later in the day, the Director-General of FEMA, Malam Abbas Idris, said “while the FEMA is working to establish contact with the bereaved families, FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has conveyed that his prayers are with the relatives and loved ones of the victims, especially the mother of the house” whom preliminary report say was not in the vehicle during the incident.  

It could be recalled that meteorological reports given in the beginning of the rainy season included Abuja among places that are likely to witness severe flooding this year as a major effect of the climate change.

According to the Director-General Nigeria Meteorological Agency NiMeT, Prof Sani Mashi  “It means that chances of flood generation will be high; we have alerted that there is going to be risk of flooding, especially in areas that there are major rivers. Recently, you recall that it happened in Tafa in Suleja, because it is within the region of River Gurara and that is why it was vulnerable to flooding.”

Noting that Abuja is also on the sidelines of the Gurara River, the Administration therefore reiterates its earlier counsel to residents to avoid  paths that are likely to be prone to flood especially during the rains.

Cosmas Uzodinma
Chief Press Secretary
To the FCT Minister