Story from Onyinyechi IHEANACHO, Abuja
On Sunday, August 30, 2020, an amateur video from an eyewitness shows a young man in Trademore Lugbe, Abuja who got drowned in the flood despite warnings from people to stay back but all to no avail.
The FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has however commenced a search for the drowned man.
According to findings by Florence Wenegieme, the Deputy Director, Forecastings Response and Mitigations (FEMA), said “the flooding was as a result of faulty drainage systems as residents built their houses on waterways.
“There is every possibility that he survived or when he drowned he died and the water will sweep him to the side.
“Our rescue team has gone ahead and they are heading towards Giri. We have sent messages across to all the villages that this river passes through, and we have our volunteers, local divers in those villages, so they are on the lookout now.
The heavy downpour affected properties including the Trademore Police Station, shopping places, and houses.
A man who witnessed when the unidentified man was drowning said, “I was shouting go back and he refused to go back, it is only God that knows what happened and he knows what made the young man be ear blocked.
Another eyewitness said it was like a joke, that the volume of the water was really high and the momentum was rising which made them run-up to higher ground.
The Department of Development Control, FCT also visited the site for assessment and possible demolition to avoid future occurrences.
Muktar Galadima, Director, Development Control, FCT said, “it is obvious from the retaining wall that collapsed that there was no proper engineering design as to that effect. But then the bunk of the challenge should go back to the resident’s association. I have seen where houses block a natural drain and where people are dumping refuse on a natural drain.
As the FCT Emergency Management Agency continues on the search and rescue, they call on residents to adhere to safety guidelines especially avoiding flood pruned areas for their own safety.