Health
FEMA send strong warnings to motorists warns motorists
The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has warned motorists against driving on running water to avoid endangering their lives as the rainy season approaches.
FEMA Managing Director Alhaji Abbas Idriss gave the advice in an interview with the Nigeria News Agency (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.
Idriss said counseling became necessary because in 2020 two people were taken away by running water and they ultimately died.
He said running water can kill faster than anything you might think, adding that two inches of running water can sweep a car of any size.
“We lost seven lives due to flooding in 2020, five were from the same family in Geri in Gwagwalada Regional Council and two were washed away by running water.
“We continue to insist and that is why you will see signposts in strategic FEMA locations in Abuja, telling motorists to avoid driving or walking in running water because running water can kill more. quickly than anything you can think of.
“No matter the size of your car, two inches of water can swallow your car. We advise not to drive in running water during the rainy season.
“If you are at home and it is raining and you are told the road is flooded, stay home to avoid a tragedy because it is safer to do so,” he said.
Idriss, however, warned FCT residents against indiscriminate waste disposal, adding that the FEMA assessment found all of the flooding in Abuja was man-made.
“We have seen a lot of flooding in the CTF in 2020, but all the floods in our assessment were man-made floods, which means we have a lot to do to avoid them if it is flooding. of human origin.
“The CTF population is outnumbering the resources and facilities available on the ground to deal with such emergencies.
“Waste is still being generated and it is expected that the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) will dispose of it.
“So we have a lot to do with the residents of FCT; all hands should be on the bridge to make sure we are doing the right thing to avoid preventable flooding, ”he said.
The FEMA boss said that the AEPB, the development control department, the development department of satellite towns and all stakeholders have a huge role to play in preventing flooding in the territory.
He said FEMA’s response or activities would always start where these agencies could take responsibility.
“It is only at the time of the emergency that FEMA is invited and by the time we come, you will discover that there are infractions, loopholes and violations here and there.
“So we have to be prepared to act to make sure these things don’t happen. we cannot do it alone; we don’t even have the resources to do it.
“We need to leverage the resources of our stakeholders so that we can do what is expected of us, save lives and property,” Idriss said.
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