FEMA ALERT FCT RESIDENTS ON FLOODINGS AS MAN DROWNS IN EFEB FLASH FLOOD.

The FCT emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has warned residents to desist from acts that lead to flooding in this rainy season. This warning is coming from the agency even as the body of one Mr. James Odeh aged 35 age has been recovered by the FEMA search and rescue team from a flooded river along Dogon-gada Area, near Efab Housing Estate, Lokogoma District.
It is belived that the victim was attempting to drive through the flooded water in the company of one Mr. Nsendoo Uketar aged 20yrs who has been rescued alive by the FEMA search and rescue team. The vehicle of the victim a Toyota Corola 2010 model was also rescued from the flooded river.
Saddened by unfortunate incident, the Director General (FEMA) Alh. Idriss Abbas advised residents to stay away from flooded water and avoid driving around flooded sites
According to the FEMA boss,
“Most people underestimate the strength of water and the danger it poses”
He then urged FCT residents to adopt attitudinal change as key to fighting disaster to the nearest minimum in the FCT.          Also reacting to the NIMET predictions that we should expect heavy rainfall this year which could lead to flooding, the FEMA DG appealed to residents to avoid unwholesome environmental practices especially the indiscriminate waste disposal and building on flood plain as these could block water ways and lead to flooding, he then called on community leaders, religions leaders, to be charged with the responsibility of sensitizing their subjects, especially those living close to flood planes to move to higher ground to avoid being washed away.
On mitigating steps being taken by the Agency to curb flooding disasters in the FCT, the FEMA DG said FEMA and some of its relevant stakeholders had earlier in the year embarked on assessment tour to all flooded prone areas in the FCT to identify flash points and to access areas of repairs and improvement. Alh. Idriss further stressed that all relevant Agencies have been on their toes after the assessment, disilting drainages, expanding narrow drainages, evacuating refuse and removing buildings on flood planes.
He added that as the lockdown is easing out, the Honorable Minister of the FCT Mallam Mohammad Musa Bello has directed all relevant Departments to continue work in the various flash points to mitigate more disaster. He revealed that work have since commenced in these areas including the Lokogoma area and called on residents to always compliment the efforts of the FCTA Administration by adhering to directives, sighting example with the Corona Virus pandemic where most people still don’t believe it exist and expose themselves to the virus despite Government directives.
While sympathizing with the family of the victims, Alh. Idriss assured residents that all hands will continue to be on deck to ensure that traits to lives  and properties occasioned by flood are reduced to the bearest minimum in the FCT and charged residents to always clear their gutters, sewer lines and water lines to ensure free flow of rain water.
He then urged residents to always call the 112 emergency toll free number in case of any emergency, as this will help FEMA respond faster. According to him, it is only through prompt response that effective disaster management can be achieved.   (PR)

COVID-19 SPARKS UNPRECEDENTED GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS-IMF.

The International Monetary Fund has announced that the global coronavirus pandemic has sparked an economic “crisis like no other,” sending world GDP plunging 4.9 percent this year and wiping out $12 trillion over two years.
According to the IMF, worldwide business shutdowns destroyed hundreds of millions of jobs, and major economies in Europe face double-digit collapses. In an updated World Economic Outlook published on Wednesday, the IMF emphasized that the prospects for recovery post-pandemic, like the forecasts themselves, are steeped in “pervasive uncertainty” given the unpredictable path of the Novel Corona Virus.
The IMF also warned of dangers posed by eroding relations between and within countries. IMF Chief Economist, Gita Gopinath said under current forecasts, the crisis will destroy $12 trillion over two years.   She warned that the world is not out of the woods.

DEMOLISHED EMBASSY BUILDING: NIGERIA TO RESOLVE SPAT WITH GHANA DIPLOMATICALLY

The Presidency says the Federal Republic of #Nigeria will follow diplomatic means with #Ghana in addressing the recent demolition of some apartments in the Nigerian embassy in Accra.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, told State House Correspondent on Wednesday in Abuja that Ghana and Nigeria will not engage in a physical combat to resolve the issue. 

PRESIDENTS NANA AKUFO-ADDO & MUHAMMADU BUHARI

“The President of Ghana has called and regretted the action and apologised to the President of Nigeria. I think he has shown leadership in the matter and what should Nigeria do; these are two leading countries in West Africa...Shehu said.

“Nigeria will not engage in a street fight with Ghana. This cannot happen. So, the two leaders, especially President #MuhammaduBuhari, who is much respected in Africa, they all call him ‘Baba’ (Father), so he is bound to show restraint.”

 “Matters such as this when they arise, it is always better when they arise, they should be resolved diplomatically. No, there shouldn’t be a fight between Nigeria and Ghana, this will not happen.” He added. 

President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria

You will recall that President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana had on Tuesday telephoned President Muhammadu Buhari, to tender his country’s unreserved apologies for #demolition of a building on the premises of #Nigerian High Commission in #Accra, Ghana.  

Akufo-Addo had informed President Buhari that he has directed full investigation into the incident, just as he confirmed that two suspects have been arrested.

BREAKING!! INEC PUBLISHES GUIDELINES FOR ELECTIONS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

VOTING IN SAFETY

 Voters Code of Conduct (VCC) for Elections During the COVID-19 Pandemic

 

1. Wearing of face mask at Polling Units and all election locations is mandatory. Please make provision for your own face mask. Face masks must be worn at all times, but an election official may request you to lower your mask for proper identification when necessary.
2. a) Voting starts by 8.30 am and stops at 2.30 pm.

b)      There shall be two queues formed at each polling location (Polling Unit or Voting Point). The first queue (the outer queue) will be outside, from which an election official shall bring voters into the voting area in batches. The second queue (the inner queue) will be formed in the voting area.

c)      By 2.30 pm, an election official shall stand at the end of the outer queue indicating that the queue is closed. Any voter on the outer queue by 2.30 pm shall be allowed to vote.

d)     Queues must be orderly and voters on a queue must maintain a distance of 2 meters (6 feet) from each other.                     

3. Any voter showing symptoms of COVID-19 such as high temperature, coughing, sneezing, etc. will be requested to leave the queue or voting area and shall be attended to by designated officials. Please obey all directives by the officials to keep yourself and others safe. Report any health emergencies urgently to an official at the Polling Unit.
4. Avoid unnecessary touching of surfaces or leaning on walls and other surfaces at the Polling Unit. You may request for hand sanitizer which will be given to you if available.
5. An election official may ask to clean your fingers with an antiseptic before your fingerprint is read with the Smart Card Reader.
6. Please show your voters’ card to election officials whenever you are requested to do so.
7. After you cast your vote, move away from the voting area. If you wish to observe the counting of votes and announcement of result, you will be directed by an election official on where to stay.
8. Please ensure that you go away with your used protective materials such as face masks and hand gloves. Do not litter the polling unit!
9. Remember that cell phones or any other device that can take pictures are still not allowed in the voting cubicles.
10. Please obey all directives issued by election officials, including security officials, and be orderly at all times. INEC shall not tolerate assault of any election official and you may be prosecuted for doing so.