FCT Flooding: Onoh Blames Encroachment on Waterways, Urges Tinubu to Act

Chairman of Forum of Former Enugu State House of Assembly members and ex-Southeast spokesman for President Bola Tinubu, Josef Onoh, has blamed the flooding in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on illegal development along waterways and urged immediate federal action.

Heavy rains had on Monday left major districts of the FCT submerged, with videos circulating online showing vehicles stranded and roads turned into rivers. 

Onoh, who was the Chairman of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA, said the situation went beyond heavy rainfall, calling it “the direct result of reckless development and the criminal encroachment of our waterways.” 

He warned that without urgent intervention, Abuja risked a full-blown environmental crisis.

Onoh recalled he had raised similar concerns last year in about the systematic blockage of natural water channels in the FCT. He said those warnings were ignored.

He called on President Tinubu to direct the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to take immediate steps to conduct a comprehensive audit and mapping of all encroached waterways and floodplains.

He also suggested to revoke and demolish illegal structures built on waterways; carry out mass desilting and rehabilitation of drainage systems in vulnerable districts; and enforce environmental protection laws to prevent further encroachment.

He offered his expertise pro bono to assist with the demolition exercise, citing his experience running a similar agency in Enugu state.

“If urgent attention is not given to this matter, not only will FCT residents soon resort to using boats to access different parts of the city after every rainfall, but critical infrastructure including roads, bridges, public buildings, and utilities will be in serious danger. Most importantly, human lives will continue to be at grave risk,” Onoh said.

Flooding has become an annual challenge in parts of Abuja during the rainy season, often linked by urban planners to poor drainage and construction on floodplains.