Alhaji Yusuf Wada, traditional ruler of Paso community in Gwagwalada Area Council, has cautioned residents of the area against indiscriminate waste disposal and building on waterways to prevent flood.
Wada made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Gwagwalada following the recent flood disaster in the area.
NAN recalls that a two-day heavy downpour in the area recently, submerged more than 20 buildings, the Gwagwalada bridge linking Abuja to Lokoja and a hotel.
The traditional ruler decried the growing heaps of waste in some communities and attributed some floods to improper disposal of waste and negligence by some residents.
“There are things people take for granted, the construction of buildings on the waterways in spite of the havoc caused by flood in these areas.
“Some residents have also failed to comply with some simple sanitation rules and regulations in spite of the regular sensitisation exercises and awareness.
“The government is trying its best in terms of creating awareness on proper waste disposal, but some residents have refused to do the right thing,’’ he said.
According to him, sanitation and waste evacuation should be a matter of necessity and should be observed daily in every home for healthy living.
He also said that regular sanitation and hygiene was equally important in order to prevent communicable diseases and flood.
