The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has taken steps to address flooding affecting some parts of Abuja.
Mr Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
Olayinka was reacting to comments credited to Mr Deji Adeyanju, a lawyer, who accused the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, of destroying Abuja.
Adeyanju’s comments followed Saturday’s downpour, which Olayinka noted had flooded some areas of Abuja, adding that the water receded after the rainfall.
He added that the Wike-led FCT Administration was mindful of this development and had taken steps to forestall future occurrences.
He, however, described Adeyanju’s comments as “very unfortunate,” saying, “This is not the first time some areas of Abuja are flooded.”
“The lawyer, who is always looking for attention, is also being joined by those who, for once, feel they have found something negative to say about Wike.
“When there was flood in Abuja in 2019, as reported in the media, was it Wike that caused it?
“The sad reality is that Abuja has been witnessing flooding long before Wike assumed office,” he said.
The spokesman pointed out that 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.
“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.
“It is also a pointer to damages being caused by scavengers who are daily stealing drainage covers, thereby exposing the drainage to refuse,” he said.
To address the challenge, Olayinka said the FCT Administration had commenced the review of the 1979 Abuja Master Plan to accommodate the new realities of the capital city.
He added that drainage covers that would be impossible for scavengers to remove were also being used.
