Flood: Niger govt tells residents to vacate waterways, drainage channels

Following a series of flooding incidents across the country and flood alerts issued by the relevant government agencies, the Niger State Government has asked residents that have built houses on waterways to vacate immediately.

The Deputy Governor, Mr. Yakubu Garba, gave the directive on Wednesday, while on an inspection of some of the communities affected by flood, following a heavy downpour on Tuesday night in Minna.

He also directed the State Urban Development Board, the State Emergency Management Agency and the State Environmental Protection Agency, to sensitise people living on waterways on reasons why they need to relocate to safer areas.

“I sympathise with people affected by last night’s flood, especially those whose properties have been affected.

“As a government, it is our obligation to ensure that lives and property are saved.

“As such, I have given a matching order to relevant government agencies to inspect houses and structures built on waters ways and ask all the occupants to vacate such premises.

“They are also to ensure that structures, especially shops built close to drainages are removed with immediate effect.

“This is to avoid future re-occurrence of flood disaster,” he said.

The deputy governor further advised those who acquired lands on waterways against developing them due to the impending danger,

Garba also cautioned residents against dumping refuse on waterways to prevent flood.

General Manager, Urban Development Board, Alhaji Ahmad Bako, said most of the structures on waterways were already marked as illegal, adding that the owners have been served notices to vacate.

“The owners of the structures do not have development permits, as such, we will implement the executive order with immediate effect,” he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that some of the areas inspected were Brighter Road, New Market in Maitumbi, Gurara and Gbaganu communities.

(NAN)