FCTEMA Launches Flood Preparedness Campaign in Gwagwalada

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FCTEMA) has launched a preparedness campaign to address flooding risks in identified flood-prone communities across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This initiative follows directives from FCT Minister Nyesom Wike aimed at mitigating predicted disasters through early intervention and public sensitization.

The campaign commenced in Gwagwalada Area Council with a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday at the palace of the Aguna of Gwagwalada, Muhammad Magaji. Mark Nyam, Head of Forecasting, Response and Mitigation at FCTEMA, indicated that 33 states and the FCT are expected to experience severe flooding this year due to climate change.

Gwagwalada, along with Abuja Municipal Area Council, Kuje, Kwali, and Abaji, has been identified as requiring close monitoring, with Gwagwalada being one of the three high-risk areas for direct intervention. Nyam clarified that flooding in Gwagwalada is primarily caused by heavy runoff and human activities, not dam operations.

Community leaders emphasized the need for preventive measures and better waste disposal facilities to reduce flooding impacts.