The Federal Capital Territory Administration has pushed back against criticism over Saturday’s flooding in Abuja, saying the capital had suffered similar incidents long before Nyesom Wike became FCT Minister.
The administration said the latest flooding was a reminder of the challenges created by Abuja’s rapid expansion, particularly the strain on drainage infrastructure, waste management and enforcement of planning regulations.
It also disclosed that efforts were underway to address the problem, including the ongoing review of the 1979 Abuja Master Plan and the deployment of drainage covers designed to prevent their removal by scavengers.
The Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, stated this on Monday while responding to comments by lawyer and social commentator Deji Adeyanju, who had criticised the administration over the flooding.
Olayinka said Abuja had recorded major flooding incidents in the past, citing occurrences in 2019 and 2022.
“In 2019, heavy rainfall flooded sections of Wuse, Jabi and Lokogoma. In 2022, the same pattern returned: Lokogoma district, Efab Estate, Gudu axis and connecting bridges were overwhelmed.”
He said Saturday’s incident was therefore not peculiar to the current administration, but highlights the need to adapt the capital’s infrastructure to its rapid growth.
“Therefore, the flood witnessed last Saturday was another reminder of the seasonal reality of a rapidly expanding city with drainage infrastructure, waste management and enforcement of planning rules not keeping pace with growth.”
The FCT Administration also blamed the activities of scavengers who remove drainage covers, saying the exposed channels become vulnerable to refuse.
“It is also a pointer to damages being caused by scavengers who are daily stealing drainage covers, thereby exposing the drainage to refuse.”
According to Olayinka, the administration is reviewing the 1979 Abuja Master Plan to reflect the changing realities of the capital city.
“To address this, the FCT Administration is already reviewing the 1979 Abuja Master Plan to accommodate the new realities of the capital city.”
He added that the administration had started using drainage covers that would be more difficult for scavengers to remove.
“Drainage covers that will be impossible for scavengers to remove are also being used.”
Olayinka said the FCT Administration was mindful of the flooding challenge and was taking steps to prevent future occurrences.
