By Paul Adaji (ABUJA) –
Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Tpl. Zaliha’u Ahmed, has vowed to seek appropriate sanctions on staff found to have compromised standards in the perenial floodings in parts of Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.
Tpl Ahmed, who made the threat following the flooding that occurred in Abuja last week, said that such erring staff would be reported to their respective professional regulatory bodies for appropriate sanctions.
She spoke on yesterday while receiving the National President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Tpl. Olutoyin Ayinde and the President of Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC), Tpl. Ishaku Muktar Kura, who were on a courtesy visit to her office.
Following a heavy down-pour, there was a flooding in River Park and Trademore Estates on the Lugbe axis of Abuja along the Airport Road in which four persons were feared dead and property worth millions of Naira destroyed.
Tpl. Ahmed, who expressed displeasure at the activities of some professionals often accused of misdemeanor while carrying out their duties, vowed that as an Ambassador of Planning all through her years in service, she would continue to ensure that the right things are done and that planners particularly are well guided.
In a statement made available to FRONTVIEW AFRICA today, Head, Public Relations of the FCDA, Mr. Richard A. Nduul, quoted Tpl. Ahmed as saying, “I assure you, I will make everything possible to investigate and both TOPREC and NITP together with all other professional bodies will get the report. I assure you that any professional involved, not only the Planners, even other professions, I will make sure that their regulatory bodies are given the report so that we will forestall and save lives and property moving forward.”
The Ag. Executive Secretary, with a team of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) officials had visited both the river plate and Trademore Estate to assess the impact of the flood, the likely causes as well as proffer lasting solutions.
Accompanying the Ag. Executive Secretary on the assessment visit were the Director of engineering services; Engineering Design and evaluation; Survey and Mapping; Urban and Regional Planning and Development Control.
While preliminary findings point to the fact that the flooding in the Estate is as a result of the conscription of river course as well as not obtaining relevant approvals by the developers, however, a detailed report is being compiled to be sent to the FCT Minister.
In a remark, the National President of NIPT, Tpl. Olutoyin Ayinde lauded the inverse contributions of the Acting Executive Secretary to the Institute where she is a Fellow and a member of the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee.
He described the Acting Executive Secretary as an Ambassador of Planning who would always ensure that the Abuja Master Plan is adhered to. He expressed the readiness of his Institute to collaborate with the FCDA in the planning and development of Abuja.