The Federal Capital Territory Administration has rejected criticism over the flooding recorded in parts of Abuja following Saturday’s heavy rainfall, saying the recurring problem existed before Nyesom Wike became Minister of the FCT.
Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the minister on Public Communications and Social Media, also accused lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju of using the incident to attack Wike politically.
In a statement issued on Monday, Olayinka said Saturday’s downpour caused flooding in several areas of the capital, but noted that the water eventually receded.
He maintained that the FCT Administration was aware of the recurring challenge and had commenced measures aimed at reducing the likelihood of future flooding.
“There was heavy downpour in Abuja on Saturday, and consequently, some areas got heavily flooded. The flood remained for a while after the rainfall and disappeared.
Even though the FCT Administration under Nyesom Wike, is mindful of this development and is taking steps to forestall future occurrence, it is funny that characters like this Online Baseless Lawyer who is always looking for attention has been shouting WIKE HAS DESTROYED ABUJA since yesterday, as if last Saturday was the first time some areas in Abuja got flooded,” Olayinka’s statement partly read.
He questioned the basis for blaming Wike for the latest incident, citing previous cases of flooding recorded in the capital before the minister assumed office.
“When there was flood in Abuja in 2019, as reported in the media, was it Wike that caused it?” he asked.
Olayinka recalled that parts of Wuse, Jabi and Lokogoma were affected by flooding after heavy rainfall in 2019.
He added that similar incidents were reported in Lokogoma district, Efab Estate, Gudu axis and adjoining bridges in 2022.
According to him, the repeated flooding is linked to the rapid growth of Abuja, which has placed pressure on existing drainage systems, waste management and enforcement of urban planning regulations.
“Sad reality is that Abuja has been witnessing floods long before Wike assumed office. 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,” he continued.
The presidential aide also raised concerns over the activities of scavengers, alleging that the theft of drainage covers was contributing to the blockage of drainage channels by exposing them 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.
Olayinka disclosed that the FCT Administration was reviewing the 1979 Abuja Master Plan to bring it in line with the present realities of the expanding capital.
“To address this, the FCT Administration is already reviewing the 1979 Abuja Master Plan to accommodate the new realities of the capital city,” he said.
He further said the administration had introduced drainage covers designed to prevent scavengers from easily removing them.
“Drainage covers that will be impossible for scavengers to remove are also being used,” he stated.