By Edwin Philip, Lafia
LAFIA — The Nasarawa State Government has commenced plans to redesign drainage systems and waterways in Lafia, the state capital, following flooding that damaged buildings, disrupted transportation and displaced residents on Thursday.
The Managing Director of the Nasarawa State Urban Development Board (NUDB), Engr. Muhammad Yahaya Wada, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in his office in Lafia.
Wada said he had briefed Governor Abdullahi Sule on the extent of the flooding and had received approval to review the existing designs of drainage channels and waterways in the affected areas.
He said the review became necessary after the flooding exposed gaps in the initial designs and affected areas that were not adequately captured.
“I have already briefed the governor, though he is out of town, and he has given us the go-ahead initially to check the situation. I briefed him on our findings, and he has given us the go-ahead to update our design so that we will start,” Wada said.
“We have seen the damage, and it gives us the opportunity to update our design and improve on it because, from what happened today, we noticed that there are other places that were not captured in our initial design.”
The NUDB boss said the immediate priority was to assess the affected areas and improve the drainage and water-channel designs, noting that a complete reconstruction of new channels might not be possible during the current rainy season.
He, however, advised residents living along waterways and flood-prone areas to relocate temporarily to safer locations, warning that further rainfall could worsen the situation.
“We will advise people along that area to stay away, to keep off and vacate the places for now because you wouldn’t know when it will come again or how heavier it will be.
“It could be heavier than what we experienced, and it could happen at night. So, we will advise people to stay away and vacate where they are living for now, until maybe after the season,” he said.
Wada said the flooding affected several areas, including Millionaire Quarters and Bukan Sidi, while some roads, including federal highways, were cut off.
He said officials of the board had visited the affected areas to assess the extent of the damage and interact with residents.
According to him, the condition of some buildings had become a source of concern, with cracks appearing on some structures and others collapsing.
He said the government did not currently have the mandate to forcibly remove residents from flood-prone areas but would continue to sensitise them on the dangers of remaining in such locations.
“As regards forcing people to leave the place, I think we don’t have that mandate. We only advise and sensitise them on the implications of living there,” he said.
Wada said the structural integrity of some buildings could no longer be guaranteed, citing collapsed toilets, soakaways and concrete wells as evidence of possible damage to their foundations.
“Where we checked, we have seen that the integrity of most of the buildings cannot be vouched for. Some toilets have already collapsed, some soakaways collapsed, some concrete wells have already collapsed. That tells you that the substructure is weak, and some houses are completely flooded,” he said.
The NUDB managing director warned that any building located within the right-of-way of drainage channels would have to give way if the government embarked on reconstruction.
He said such action would be taken in the overall public interest, in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Dr. Margaret Elayo, who inspected areas affected by the flooding, ordered the temporary closure of Sandaji Hotel.
The commissioner said the hotel, located within a heavily flooded area, was being closed over alleged non-compliance with environmental standards.
The government urged residents in affected areas to remain vigilant, avoid waterways and other flood-prone locations, and cooperate with authorities as measures are taken to address the immediate risks and redesign the drainage system.
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