Flooding: FCTA begins desilting of drains, warns against vandalism, illegal structures
Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has initiated a city-wide desilting of drainage channels in response to recent heavy rainfall that caused flash floods in various areas of Nigeria’s capital.
During an inspection of the clearance operations along the Airport Expressway on Thursday, Richard Dauda, the acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), confirmed that the effort was ordered by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. The directive came following flash floods that affected the Airport Expressway on Tuesday.
Dauda emphasized that this initiative aims to mitigate flood risks as the heavy rainy season continues. He noted that while recent rainfall patterns align with previous meteorological warnings and the impact of climate change, the Abuja Master Plan recognizes certain areas, including the Airport Expressway, as flood plains.
He assured residents that although infrastructure was initially designed to manage large volumes of water, human activities have significantly hampered its effectiveness. “Some of these drainage facilities have become silted over time due to residents dumping refuse into drainage channels,” Dauda explained. “When rain falls, it washes polythene bags, waste, and even large objects that block the outlets.”
Dauda identified two major human factors exacerbating the flash floods: illegal development and rampant infrastructure vandalism. He highlighted a significant issue along the expressway, pointing out a triple-cell box culvert intended to handle substantial water flow from the Galadima Roundabout. According to Dauda, a private developer had illegally narrowed this waterway downstream by constructing retaining walls for personal use.
“This alteration restricts the volume of water that should pass, leading to detention, backflow, and eventual flooding,” he stated, underscoring the need to remove the developer’s structures to restore proper drainage capacity.
Additionally, Dauda criticized the theft of metal gully inlet covers by vandals, which permits large debris to enter underground drainage systems without being filtered at the surface. “When vandals steal these covers, it’s like stealing from yourself as a taxpayer,” he remarked.
To prevent further theft, the FCDA is investigating the use of non-recyclable materials for replacements instead of steel or cast iron.
Dauda confirmed that FCDA workers are actively desilting trapezoidal drains, U-channels, and culvert outlets along the Airport Expressway, with future plans to reconstruct damaged sections as needed.
He urged Abuja residents to refrain from dumping waste into waterways, stressing that effective management of government infrastructure relies on public cooperation.
