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

Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike personally inspected areas in Maitama, Abuja, that were recently inundated by heavy weekend rainfall. During his visit on Tuesday morning, Wike observed a structure erected on a plot designated as a drainage area, which had been officially revoked by the authorities over a decade ago.

According to Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant to the minister on Public Communications and Social Media, the plot, identified as Plot 4508 A06, was revoked in 2011 due to overriding public interest. Video footage shared by Olayinka showed the minister touring the site, where a sign clearly indicated the plot's status as a "DRAINAGE AREA KEEP OFF!" and noted its revocation.

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The spot here is a Drainage Area. It was allocated, but REVOKED in 2011. Structure was built on it.

The inspection occurred amidst a public discourse concerning the causes of the flooding that impacted parts of Abuja, including Maitama, following Saturday's downpour. Residents and critics have cited various factors, such as blocked waterways, construction on green spaces, and inadequate drainage systems, as contributing to the severity of the flooding.

In response to accusations that the current administration is responsible for the flooding, Olayinka defended the FCT Administration. He asserted that flooding in the capital city is not a new phenomenon and predates Wike's tenure. Olayinka pointed to previous flooding incidents in areas like Wuse, Jabi, and Lokogoma in 2019, and Lokogoma, Efab Estate, and Gudu in 2022. He attributed some of the persistent challenges to the rapid expansion of the Federal Capital Territory, noting that drainage infrastructure, waste management, and the enforcement of planning regulations have struggled to keep pace with the city's growth. The removal of drainage covers by scavengers, leading to blockages by refuse, was also cited as a contributing factor. Olayinka added that the FCT Administration is reviewing the 1979 Abuja Master Plan and implementing new drainage cover designs to mitigate future occurrences.

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Even though the FCT Administration under Nyesom Wike, is mindful of this development and is taking steps to forestall future occurrence, it is funny that characters like this Online Baseless Lawyer who is always looking for attention has been shouting WIKE HAS DESTROYED ABUJA since yesterday, as if last Saturday was the first time some areas in Abuja got flooded.