FCT Forum Demands Urgent Action on Abuja Flooding Crisis

The FCT Stakeholders Forum for Development, representing landlords, business owners, and investors in Abuja, called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration to take urgent action to combat the worsening flooding in the capital. At a press conference on Wednesday, Chairman Chief David Kente highlighted the severe impact of recent floods, which have submerged homes, cut off roads, and disrupted livelihoods.

The forum conducted an independent assessment, attributing the flooding to rapid urban expansion, blocked drainage systems, and waste disposal issues. Kente noted that the flooding problem predates the current administration of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive review of the 1979 Abuja Master Plan, which no longer reflects the city's population growth and infrastructure demands.

The National Emergency Management Agency has activated its National Emergency Operations Centre to enhance flood monitoring, while the Nigeria Meteorological Agency identified Abuja as a high-risk area for flash floods. The Federal Ministry of Environment also operates a flood early-warning system for the region.