Senator Ireti Kingibe, the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has attributed the escalating flood incidents in Abuja to illegal construction on green areas, natural flood plains, and designated drainage routes.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, the senator warned that blocking natural water channels and streams significantly reduces the city’s drainage capacity during heavy rainfall.
Kingibe criticized ongoing developments that deviate from the original Abuja master plan, noting that she has engaged key FCT authorities to address these structural violations and mitigate future flooding across the territory.
She said, “Absolutely. Some of the developments sanctioned by the current FCT administration are indeed heightening the flood risk in Abuja. I have consistently raised concerns about the green areas, gullies, flood channels and flood plains, as I observe them being developed upon.
“I have been voicing my concerns that Development Control should not authorise such activities. Yet, they continue, and this is the outcome.
“For instance, in Wuse Zone 6, a residential project is being constructed over a sewage line, resulting in a foul odour. This poses a health hazard.”
Speaking further, the senator stressed that “It is not feasible to build on every available space in a city, especially one that was designed according to a master plan that is now being disregarded.”
According to Kingibe, her conflict with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike stems directly from her long-standing structural and infrastructural concerns regarding the Federal Capital Territory, rather than personal friction.
She emphasized that her warnings about encroaching on green areas, blocking flood channels, and violating the Abuja master plan predated her ongoing political disagreements with the minister.
Backstory…
Many residents and motorists were left stranded as heavy flood has affected Abuja. The flood was triggered by heavy downpour which has now affected key areas of the FCT.
Areas affected included Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Delight Event Centre in Gudu, and Efab Estate in Lokogoma, where floodwaters overwhelmed roads and surrounding areas.
The Gaduwa-Durumi bridge also became heavily flooded, leaving motorists stranded and disrupting traffic.
Read Also: Residents Stranded as Heavy Flood Sweeps Major Parts of Abuja
