Lugbe Flood: We lost a life, residents insist; plead for government intervention
Residents of Trademore Estate in Lugbe area of the FCT have insisted that one person lost his life in the flood which overran the state on Friday, Political Economist NG reports.
The flood followed a downpour which started in the early hours of Friday.
Political Economist NG reports that vehicles and houses were submerged as residents fled their homes. Some of the residents sent a plea for government, especially the FCT Administration, to come to their aid.
Our reporter who visited the state Saturday morning reports that the flood had subsided significantly leaving a trail of destruction and tears. Some of the residents said the flood swept away at least one person and left other injured. They, however, could not disclose the identity of the lone victim.
The FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says 116 houses have been affected by flood at the estate, adding that the state is prone to flooding because some of the building did not follow approved plan as they were built on waterways.
Political Economist NG quotes Dr Abbas Idriss, the Director-General, FEMA, as saying in a statement signed by Nkechi Isa, the Head, Public Affairs, FEMA, on Friday in Abuja that 116 houses were submerged, but no life was lost. following a heavy downpour which started in the early hours of the day.
Idriss said that the flood which was caused by infractions on the water channels, had made the Estate to be vulnerable to flooding.
The FEMA boss dismissed social media reports alleging that a resident of the estate was missing as a result of the flood.
He however appealed to residents whose houses were built on water channels to relocate.
Idriss who said that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had predicted heavy flooding in the FCT this year, also advised residents living on flood prone areas to relocate.
He called on the residents to use the 112 Emergency toll free number to report emergencies.