Abuja: The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has initiated measures to tackle flooding that has affected certain areas of Abuja. Mr. Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, conveyed this information in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Olayinka was responding to remarks made by Mr. Deji Adeyanju, a lawyer, who accused the FCT Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike, of contributing to the destruction of Abuja. Adeyanju’s comments followed a heavy downpour on Saturday, which caused flooding in some areas of Abuja. Olayinka noted that the water receded after the rainfall and emphasized that the Wike-led FCT Administration is aware of the situation and has taken steps to prevent future occurrences.
Olayinka criticized Adeyanju’s comments as ‘very unfortunate,’ pointing out that flooding in certain areas of Abuja is not a new phenomenon. He questioned, “When there was flood in Abuja in 2019, as reported in the media, was it Wike that caused it?” He stressed that the issue of flooding has been present long before Wike assumed office.
The spokesman recalled that in 2019, heavy rainfall had flooded parts of Wuse, Jabi, and Lokogoma. In 2022, similar patterns occurred, affecting the Lokogoma district, Efab Estate, Gudu axis, and connecting bridges. The recent flooding serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by a rapidly expanding city with infrastructure that has not kept pace with its growth.
Olayinka highlighted the damages caused by scavengers who steal drainage covers, which exacerbates the flooding problem by leaving drainage systems exposed to refuse. To address these challenges, he stated that the FCT Administration has begun reviewing the 1979 Abuja Master Plan to reflect the city’s current realities. Additionally, drainage covers that are difficult for scavengers to remove are being installed to help mitigate the issue.