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 blamed scavengers who he said 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.
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