Questions over Abuja flooding

Devastating flooding recently swept through parts of Abuja, overwhelming homes and businesses, submerging vehicles, and leaving commuters stranded. Residents in affluent areas like Maitama, Asokoro, and Wuse were forced to seek safety on upper floors, highlighting the severity of the situation.

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The disaster raises fundamental questions about how Abuja is managed and whether the city is prepared for heavy rainfall.

While no loss of life was reported, the disaster has prompted fundamental questions about Abuja's urban management and its readiness for heavy rainfall. The flooding was not solely a consequence of natural events like heavy rainfall or climate change. Instead, blocked drains and canals, coupled with indiscriminate refuse dumping, are identified as significant contributing factors.

Furthermore, major construction projects and buildings, some linked to influential individuals including senators, have been implicated for obstructing natural waterways and drainage corridors. This suggests that human actions played a direct role in creating the conditions for the disaster, turning a potential weather event into a significant flood.

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Blocked drains and canals, and indiscriminate dumping of refuse have been blamed for the flooding.

In response, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has threatened to demolish buildings obstructing waterways. However, the article argues that demolition after a disaster is a reactive measure, not a proactive flood-control strategy. The true challenge lies in preventing such violations from occurring in the first place, with a call for equal application of the law regardless of individuals' power or status.

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So have major construction projects and buildings linked to residents, including senators, which obstruct natural waterways or drainage corridors.

The piece emphasizes the need for enforcement beyond demolition, questioning who granted approvals for illegal structures and why warning signs were ignored. It references the enforcement efforts of former FCT Minister Nasir el-Rufai, who demolished illegal structures and revoked land allocations to uphold the city's master plan. The article concludes by urging a comprehensive audit of the capital to remove developments in flood-prone areas and protect designated green spaces, advocating for continuous monitoring to prevent future occurrences.

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The flooding was, therefore, not simply an act of nature. Human beings helped create the conditions for the disaster.