SOME residents of FCT, on Wednesday urged the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) to intensify campaigns against clogged gutters to mitigate floods with the coming of the rains.

The residents, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) urged the board to sensitise the people to the dangers of blocked gutters and also find ways of unclogging them.

Mr Yahaya Garuba, an environmentalist and resident of Zuba, underscored the need for gutters to be clear of leaves and debris to prevent flooding during the rainy season.

Garuba said if gutters were not unclogged, drain outlets would dam up and rainwater would fill the gutters leading to overflow and eventually pulling the gutters loose.

“Water that pools in troughs will rot wood gutters and rust sheet-metal ones,’’ he said.

Also, Mr Micheal Emeka, a resident of Kubwa, on his part suggested that children should be taught the importance of clearing the home’s drainage systems.

“People should be educated on the effects the misuse of our drains can have on municipal wastewater systems and our environment,’’ Emeka said.

A resident of Mpape, Mrs Felicia William, said that people should always be mindful of things and objects that could cause blockage of drains.

“Stopping clogs is a battle fought on two fronts; first, people should be careful about what goes down the drain.

“Secondly, they need to take regular action to clear the small deposits that inevitably form in any drain,’’ William said.

Hajia Rasheedat Abdulrasak, a trader, urged AEPB to enforce the extant waste disposal laws and sanction those flouting the regulations.

Abdulrasak also urged the board to deal with those caught littering the environment with garbage. (NAN)

– Mar. 6, 2019 @ 13:27 GMT |