Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday inspected areas affected by flooding in Maitama, Abuja, following the heavy rainfall recorded in the nation’s capital at the weekend.
During the inspection, Wike visited a designated drainage area where a structure had reportedly been erected despite the revocation of the plot more than a decade ago.
The minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, disclosed the development in a post on X, accompanied by footage of the inspection.
According to Olayinka, the location was originally allocated but was revoked in 2011.
“The spot here is a Drainage Area. It was allocated, but REVOKED in 2011. Structure was built on it,” he stated.
A sign at the location identified the site as a drainage area and warned people to keep off. It also indicated that Plot 4508 A06 had been revoked on December 22, 2011, “due to overriding public interest.”
Wike’s inspection came amid renewed concerns over the causes of flooding in parts of Abuja, including Maitama, after Saturday’s heavy rainfall.
The flooding has generated debate over the state of drainage infrastructure, construction around waterways and other factors contributing to the accumulation of floodwater.
Olayinka had earlier defended the FCT Administration against criticism over the flooding, arguing that similar incidents occurred in Abuja before Wike assumed office.
He cited flooding recorded in Wuse, Jabi and Lokogoma in 2019, as well as incidents in Lokogoma, Efab Estate, Gudu and surrounding bridges in 2022.
“Last Saturday was not the first time some areas in Abuja got flooded,” Olayinka said, while accusing activist Deji Adeyanju of politicising the incident.
He said the FCT Administration was aware of the challenges and was taking measures to prevent future occurrences.
Olayinka attributed some of the flooding problems to the rapid expansion of the capital, saying drainage systems, waste management and enforcement of planning regulations had not kept pace with the city’s growth.
He also blamed the removal of drainage covers by scavengers, noting that the exposed channels were subsequently vulnerable to being filled with refuse.
According to him, the administration is reviewing the 1979 Abuja Master Plan to bring it in line with current realities.
He added that new drainage covers were also being installed and designed to make them more difficult to remove.
