{
  "id": 5354067,
  "title": "Flooding: FCTA begins desilting of drains, warns against vandalism, illegal structures",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/flooding-fcta-begins-desilting-of-drains-warns-against-vandalism",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T15:30:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/03/flooding-fcta-begins-desilting-of-drains-warns-against-vandalism-illegal-structures/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has begun clearing drainage channels across the city following heavy rains that caused flash floods. Acting Executive Secretary Richard Dauda confirmed the effort was ordered by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike after the Airport Expressway was inundated on Tuesday. Dauda said the desilting aims to reduce flood risks during the peak of Abuja's rainy season, which aligns with climate change trends. He noted that while the original infrastructure was designed to handle high water volumes, residents have damaged it by littering the channels with refuse. \"When rain falls, it washes down polythene bags, waste, and even large objects that block the outlets,\" Dauda explained. The acting chief highlighted two main factors exacerbating the floods: illegal development and vandalism to existing infrastructure. He pointed to a blocked waterway on the Airport Expressway where a private developer had built retaining walls downstream, preventing water from flowing freely and causing detention and backflow. To fix this, Dauda said the FCDA will remove the illegal structures. The agency is also dealing with vandalism by removing metal gully covers stolen by vandals, which allows debris to flow directly into underground drains. Dauda revealed the FCDA is exploring non-recyclable materials for replacement covers. Workers are currently desilting trapezoidal drains, U-channels, and culverts along the Airport Expressway, with plans to reconstruct damaged areas. Dauda urged residents to stop dumping refuse into waterways, warning that government infrastructure can only protect Abuja if people cooperate.",
  "summary": "The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced a city-wide desilting of drainage channels following heavy torrential rainfalls that triggered flash floods across parts of the nation’s capital. Inspecting the ongoing clearance operations along the Airport Expressway on Thursday, Mr Richard Dauda, acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA),…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}