Wike inspects flooded FCT areas, uncovers illegal structure on revoked waterway

Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike inspected flooded areas in Maitama, Abuja on Tuesday morning, discovering illegal construction on a revoked waterway. Lere Olayinka, a Senior Special Assistant to the minister, shared video footage of the inspection on X, highlighting that the location was a designated drainage area that was revoked in 2011.

The minister, accompanied by officials, toured the site where a sign read "DRAINAGE AREA KEEP OFF! NOTE – PLOT 4508 A06 REVOKED (22/12/2011) DUE TO OVERRIDING PUBLIC INTEREST. F.C.T." This incident has sparked public debate over the causes of the weekend flooding in Abuja, with residents and critics pointing to blocked waterways, construction on green areas, and inadequate drainage as contributing factors.

Wike's aide refuted claims that flooding is a recent issue under his tenure, citing previous flooding incidents in 2019 and 2022 and attributing some challenges to the rapid expansion of the Federal Capital Territory and the administration's inability to keep up with the city's growth. The FCT Administration is currently reviewing the 1979 Abuja Master Plan and installing more secure drainage covers to prevent further illegal constructions.