The Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, has defended the FCT Administration following flooding recorded in parts of Abuja after heavy rainfall on Saturday.
Olayinka said flooding was not a new problem in the capital and had occurred before Wike became FCT minister.
In a statement on Monday, Olayinka said it was therefore wrong to blame the minister for the latest flooding recorded in some parts of the city.
Olayinka said the heavy rainfall caused flooding in some areas, but the water later receded.
He added that the FCT Administration was aware of the challenges and was taking steps to reduce the risk of future flooding.
“Abuja has been witnessing floods long before Wike assumed office,” Olayinka said.
“Parts of Wuse, Jabi and Lokogoma experienced flooding in 2019, while similar incidents were recorded in Lokogoma, Efab Estate, Gudu and some connecting bridges in 2022,” he said.
According to him, the latest flooding should be seen against the background of Abuja’s rapid expansion and the pressure this has placed on drainage and other infrastructure.
He described the situation as 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.
Olayinka also raised concerns about blocked and damaged drainage infrastructure, including drainage covers that he said were being removed, exposing drains to refuse.
He also blamed the activities of scavengers who allegedly remove drainage covers, leaving drains exposed 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,” he said.
He said the FCT Administration was reviewing the 1979 Abuja Master Plan to reflect the current needs of the growing city.
The minister’s aide added that the administration was also introducing drainage covers designed to be more difficult to remove.
“The flooding does not mean the FCT Administration is ignoring the problem. We will continue to address drainage, waste management and urban planning challenges to make Abuja better prepared for heavy rainfall,” he added.
