FEMA donates relief materials to 2016 flood victims in FCT town
by Veronica Dariya
Bwari (Abuja) April 9, 2018 (NAN) The FCT Emergency Management Agency on Monday distributed relief materials to the victims of the July 16, 2017 flood disaster, which occurred in Dei Dei area of the Federal Capital Territory.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the gesture, which was in collaboration with Bwari Area Council, was to bring succour to those who lost properties during the disaster.
Speaking at the event, Director-General of the Agency, Alhaji Idris Abass, explained that the action was in line with the mandate of the Agency to assist the victims to get back on their feet.
Abass, however, urged the Bwari Area Council to constitute a Local Emergency Committee, with immediate effect, that would look into effective disaster management.
He commended the relentless effort of the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, for giving due attention to public safety within the FCT.
Abass also expressed appreciation for the efforts of the traditional rulers at their various community levels for their role in the emergency management framework of the FCT, saying that this has ensured a safer community.
Abass, however, tasked them to engage in more sensitisation on disaster management.
Mr Bitrus Samuel, Head of Operations, FCT National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said that residents of the FCT must strive to prevent re-occurrence of such disaster, by keeping their environment clean.
He urged the residents to desist from dumping of waste into the water ways and also avoid building of structures across or beside water channels.
In his remarks, Chairman, Bwari Area Council, Mr Musa Dikko stressed on the need for the traditional rulers to ensure that no one is permitted to build on the water ways.
Dikko stated that non compliance with the building order would lead to the demolition of houses obstructing the free flow of water channels.
He mandated that every community within the Council must provide a local emergency committee that would collaborate with NEMA and FCT FEMA, to enforce compliance of the order, at all times.
NAN reports that some of the materials distributed to the affected victims included bags of rice, beans, beverages and bags of cement among others.
NAN also reports that the event had in attendance officials of both NEMA and FCT-FEMA, members of staff of Bwari Area Council, Traditional heads in the council as well as residents of community. (NAN)
DVK/KTO/AFA
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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Felix Ajide