The Nasarawa State Government has vowed to enforce strict compliance with approved urban development designs across the state as part of measures to address persistent flooding and uncontrolled development.
Mohamed Wada-Yahaya, Managing Director, Nasarawa State Urban Development Board (NUDB), disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Lafia.
Wada-Yahaya said the decision followed an assessment of flood-affected areas in the state capital on Thursday after a heavy downpour lasting more than six hours submerged homes, roads and farmlands in parts of the city.
He said the flooding was worsened by illegal structures, blocked drainage channels and developments along waterways.
According to him, some houses, a mosque, a church and other public structures were either submerged or partially destroyed in Millionaires Quarters, Angwan Nungu, Bukan Sidi and Ombi 2 areas of Lafia.
The NUDB boss said the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had predicted flooding in some states, including Nasarawa, adding that the state government had sensitised residents and advised them to relocate to higher grounds and desist from building on or blocking waterways.
“Already, the government has designs for stormwater control and has started implementing them as part of proactive measures to avert flooding.
“We have gone round and seen the damage, and the inspection has given us new insight to update our design to improve on it and capture places that were not noted in our initial designs,” he said.
Wada-Yahaya explained that the assessment indicated that some previously ignored waterways might have experienced what he described as a return period of flooding.
“You know, there is what is referred to as the returning period of a river or stream. So, we discovered that this might be some returning period for some ignored stream around, especially around the Millionaires Quarters,” he said.
He said he had briefed Gov. Abdullahi Sule on the situation and received approval to update the existing designs for a more comprehensive approach to flood control.
According to him, the design covers all the 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state, with the board set to ensure strict implementation of the approved development plans.
The NUDB managing director warned that the board would not compromise development standards, stressing that structures found to have been erected on waterways would be demolished, irrespective of the owners.
He also advised residents living in flood-prone areas to vacate such locations, especially during the rainy season, to avoid loss of lives and property.
“It could be heavier than what we experienced, it could be at night. So, we will advise people to stay away, vacate where they are living for now, until maybe after the season,” he said.
Wada-Yahaya said the government would continue to monitor vulnerable areas and take necessary measures to protect residents from the impact of flooding. (NAN).
