FCT landlords, business owners demand action over worsening Abuja floods

The FCT Stakeholders Forum for Development has pressed the Federal Capital Territory Administration to take immediate action against the worsening flooding in Abuja. The group includes landlords, business owners, and investors in the FCT. At a press conference in Abuja, the forum's Chairman, Chief David Kente, expressed concern over the recent flooding that has submerged homes, cut off roads, and disrupted livelihoods.

Kente stated that the situation is becoming increasingly severe, with communities never previously experiencing such levels of inundation now at risk. The forum conducted an independent assessment and found that flooding was caused by rapid urban expansion, blocked drainage systems, indiscriminate waste disposal, and the removal of drainage covers by scavengers.

While some blame the flooding on violations of the Abuja Master Plan, the FSTF argues that the problem has been present for a long time and requires a comprehensive review of the 1979 Master Plan, which is no longer relevant to the current population and infrastructure demands. The forum urges the administration to desilt drainage channels, enforce against encroachment, and review the outdated master plan. They also urge the development projects to follow due process to minimize hardship on residents.