FCTA Laments Disregard for Environmental Laws, Vows Enforcement

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has expressed concern over total disobedience to environmental laws in some parts of the territory.

The Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council Mr Felix Obuah made this known at a forum on Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in the FCT organized by the FCT Council Of Nigerian Institute of Town Planners .

Mr Obuah said despite regular sensitization meetings and Town Hall meeting with residents and stakeholders some residents are still erecting illegal structures and building on water ways causing flooding and other avoidable disasters in the territory.

The Coordinator was represented by Mr Wasiu Buhari, the acting Director of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council.

Mr Obuah said the present administration was ready to ensure that residents adhere to environmental law and make FCT attractive to foreign and domestic investments.

Speaking, a member representing Amac/ Bwari federal constituency in the House of Representatives Chinedu Obika called on the National Emergency management agency and FCT administration to urgently provide assistance to those recently affected by fire disaster in Karu and Karmo markets .

Mr Chinedu Obika stressed that the national assembly would carry FCT indigenes along in the proposed Review of FCT Act .

The FCT Chairman Nigerian Institute of Town Planners Lami Ayuba gave an assurance that outcome of the Forum would assist in the intervention of stakeholders in the perennial flooding which the upsurge was alarming in some parts of the FCT.

According to her, the decisions of participants will help to fortify the territory against the treats posed by disasters.

Lami Ayuba added that government policy on environmental laws must protect the vulnerable and sustain urban growth.

All the speakers at the forum agreed that Government at all levels must engage Town Planners in the planning development of town and cities for sustainable growth.

Kayode Oyedare, Edited By Shakira Alabi