FCTA reviews 1979 Abuja Master plan to tackle flash floods, urban expansion

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has initiated a review of the 1979 Abuja Master Plan as part of comprehensive measures to address recurring flash floods and adapt the city’s infrastructure to modern urban realities.

The development follows a heavy weekend downpour that caused temporary flash flooding across parts of the nation’s capital.

While political commentators and activists, including Deji Adeyanju, linked the incident to the leadership of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, historical records demonstrate that seasonal flooding pre-dates the current administration, driven largely by rapid population growth, infrastructure deficits, and widespread municipal vandalism.

An official statement issued on Monday by Lere Olayinka emphasized that the administration is actively pursuing long-term engineering and policy solutions to forestall future occurrences.

According to the FCTA, Abuja’s expansion has outpaced the carrying capacity of its original drainage and waste management networks.

Historical data indicates that the city has routinely experienced seasonal flooding during peak rainy periods, including major submersions recorded in 2019 across Wuse, Jabi, and Lokogoma, as well as similar disruptions in 2022 affecting Lokogoma district, Efab Estate, the Gudu axis, and key connecting transit corridors.

“The flood witnessed last Saturday was another reminder of the seasonal reality of a rapidly expanding city with drainage infrastructure, waste management, and enforcement of planning rules not keeping pace with growth,” Olayinka stated.

In addition to demographic pressures, the administration highlighted the role of infrastructure sabotage and land-use contraventions in exacerbating flood risks.

“Scavengers regularly steal iron manhole and drainage covers, leaving municipal channels exposed to domestic refuse and causing severe blockages during heavy rainfall.

“Unsanctioned developments on land originally allocated for green spaces and recreational purposes continue to obstruct natural water channels.

“To combat cover theft, the FCTA has begun deploying tamper-proof drainage covers designed to prevent unauthorized removal by scavengers.

“The centerpiece of the administration’s strategic response is the formal review of the 1979 Abuja Master Plan,” the statement noted.

By updating the city’s foundational planning framework, the FCTA aims to realign land-use enforcement, upgrade municipal drainage networks, and accommodate the contemporary demographic demands of the Federal Capital Territory.