The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has hit back at critics blaming Minister Nyesom Wike for the recent flooding in parts of Abuja, insisting that flooding has been a recurring challenge in the nation’s capital long before the minister assumed office.
The FCTA described claims that Wike had “destroyed Abuja” over Saturday’s flooding as politically motivated, urging critics to consider the city’s history of flooding and the challenges created by rapid urban expansion.
Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, stated this in a statement yesterday while reacting to comments by lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju and others.
Olayinka said the heavy rainfall on Saturday resulted in flooding in some parts of Abuja, but noted that the water receded after the downpour.
He recalled that sections of Wuse, Jabi and Lokogoma were flooded after heavy rainfall in 2019, while similar incidents occurred in Lokogoma, Efab Estate, Gudu and adjoining bridges in 2022.
According to him, the latest incident was a reminder of the pressure placed on Abuja’s infrastructure by the rapid growth of the capital city.
He identified inadequate drainage capacity, poor waste disposal and violations of planning regulations among factors that could worsen flooding.
Olayinka also raised concerns over the activities of scavengers allegedly removing drainage covers, exposing drainage channels to refuse and obstructing the free flow of storm water.
He said the FCTA was already taking steps to tackle the challenge, including reviewing the 1979 Abuja Master Plan to accommodate the realities of the expanding city.
The minister’s aide added that the administration was introducing drainage covers that would be more difficult for scavengers to remove.
Olayinka said the measures were aimed at strengthening Abuja’s infrastructure and reducing the impact of flooding in vulnerable areas.
He also criticised what he described as attempts to turn the flooding into a political weapon, arguing that the challenge required practical solutions rather than blame.
The FCTA maintained that the administration was committed to addressing flooding and other infrastructure challenges arising from Abuja’s rapid development.
