The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) FCT Chapter, has warned residents against blocking drainages and building along river banks to avert flooding.
The institute has also urged communities and residents of the FCT to take responsibility in ensuring flooding was minimised or completely eliminated during the rainy season.
Mrs Lami Ayuba, Vice Chairman of the chapter revealed in a statement, on Sunday in Abuja.
Ayuba, who spoke at the 2021 World Environment Day held in Abuja, also enjoined developers to adhere strictly to provisions of the Abuja Master Plan.
She identified human activities such as blocking of drainages, not seeking approval before commencement of any development and construction along river banks or flood prone areas as the major causes of flooding in the nation’s capital.
She enjoined FCT residents to report any suspicious development to the appropriate agencies and avoid dumping of wastes along water channels.
Ayuba urged government at all levels to engage town planners at every stage of development for proper planning, monitoring and management of the Federal Capital City.
She lamented wanton destruction of lives and property occasioned by previous floods.
”For us to secure lives and property, we should adhere to provisions of the Abuja Master Plan by ensuring that all drainages are clear, seek approval before commencing any development, avoid building along river banks and flood prone areas.”
The vice chairman said that flooding had been identified as the most common and costly natural disaster.
Acccording to her, floods have dealt devastating blows in urban and rural areas of Nigeria in the past decade and is expected to increase due to more heavy rain storms, potentially caused by climate change.
She regretted that in 2020, a family of five was swept off by flood at Giri community in Gwagwalada Area Council, while houses were submerged in some areas amidst loss of property.
