Flooding: Nasarawa Govt Demolishes 25 Houses Built Along Waterways
AREWA AGENDA – The Nasarawa State Government has demolished 25 buildings situated along waterways to avoid flooding, Abubakar Mohammed, Chief Environmental Officer at the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources disclosed.
Addressing newsmen on Saturday in Lafia after the monthly sanitation in the state, the Environmental Officer said the demolition was aimed at mitigating against flooding as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet.
“NiMet predicted that flooding would occurred in 32 states including Nasarawa State, hence the need for precautionary measures to protect lives and property.
“The demolitions, which were carried out in Lafia, Akwanga and Karu Local Government Areas, were still ongoing to clear all waterways to ensure free flow of water and avoid flooding.
Read Also:
“So far, six structures were demolished in Lafia, two in Akwanga and 17 in Karu LGAs and the team from the state government is still working, to clear all water ways” the Environmental Officer added.
Mr Mohammed also described the flooding that submerged six structures along UAC road in Lafia on Saturday (Today) as unfortunate.
He said the government had carried out sensitisation, advising people to clear drains in their areas and avoid building structures in waterways, but wondered why some people still do the contrary.
“We have gone to UAC road this morning and have taken records of the number of houses and property affected and will submit a report for necessary action,” he said.
Mohammed, however, thanked God that no life was lost in the unfortunate incident.
On the monthly sanitation, the Environmental Officer, who is also the Chief Prosecuting Officer of the ministry, told newsmen that 27 persons were arraigned before a mobile court in Lafia for violating sanitation laws.
He said that the offenders were arrested at different locations going about their normal businesses during the sanitation hours of 7:00 to 10:00 a. m.
Nasarawa State Government had set aside last Saturday of every month for environmental sanitation.
NAN
