Wike Reveals Major Cause Of Abuja Flooding, Blames Illegal Buildings

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has attributed the recurring flooding in Abuja partly to illegal construction along waterways, while also acknowledging the impact of climate change.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Wike made the disclosure on Wednesday during a media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he explained that years of unauthorised construction had obstructed waterways and contributed to flooding in several parts of the nation’s capital.

The minister said some individuals had continued to erect buildings on waterways despite regulations designed to protect drainage channels and natural watercourses.

“The floods in Abuja today are a result of people building on waterways in Abuja illegally over the years,” Wike said.

He disclosed that the FCT Administration had also taken disciplinary action against officials allegedly involved in approving illegal developments.

According to Wike, a director within the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) was suspended after being accused of granting approvals for buildings constructed on waterways.

“We suspended a director in the FCDA who was illegally giving building approvals to build on waterways,” he said.

Wike, however, noted that illegal construction was not the only factor responsible for the recent flooding, adding that changing weather patterns associated with climate change were also contributing to the situation.

“Climate change is also responsible for the flooding being experienced recently in Abuja,” he added.

His comments came amid renewed concerns over flooding in parts of Abuja following episodes of heavy rainfall.

The FCT minister also used the media engagement to criticise former Rivers State Governor and current African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, over the prolonged closure of courts in Rivers State during his administration.

Wike alleged that Amaechi shut down the state’s courts for almost two years and claimed that the situation had serious consequences for residents, including a pregnant woman who, according to him, gave birth while in prison.

“Rotimi Amaechi, who wants to be Vice President today, once shut down the court in Rivers State and caused a pregnant woman to give birth in prison,” Wike said.

He also criticised the decision of the current leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to invite Amaechi to an event, saying he had previously explained why he did not support the move.

“I told the current NBA president why I did not support her. She went to invite a former governor of the state who chained and locked up the court for almost two years,” he said.