FCTA Begins City-Wide Drainage Desilting After Abuja Floods
FCTA has launched a city-wide drainage clearance exercise after heavy rainfall caused flash flooding across parts of Abuja.
The FCTA drainage desilting exercise has begun across Abuja following heavy rainfall that caused flash flooding in parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) ordered the city-wide clearance of drainage channels as the rainy season reaches its peak.
Inspecting the ongoing work along the Airport Expressway on Thursday, the acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Mr Richard Dauda, said the exercise followed a directive from the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike.
The directive came after a flash flood affected the Airport Expressway on Tuesday, disrupting conditions along one of the capital’s major routes.
Dauda said the ongoing FCTA drainage desilting was aimed at reducing the risk of further flooding as heavy rainfall continues across the nation’s capital.
The clearance operation focuses on removing silt and other obstructions from drainage channels to improve the movement of stormwater during periods of intense rainfall.
The intervention comes as Abuja experiences the effects of torrential rainfall, which has increased pressure on drainage infrastructure in different parts of the city.
According to Dauda, the administration wants to take steps to mitigate flood risks during the peak of the rainy season rather than wait for further incidents before responding.
The FCTA drainage desilting programme is therefore being carried out as a preventive measure designed to improve drainage capacity and reduce the likelihood of flash flooding along major roads and other vulnerable areas.
The Airport Expressway remains a key transport corridor in Abuja, making drainage problems along the route particularly important during periods of heavy rain.
The FCTA’s latest intervention reflects the administration’s focus on flood prevention and drainage maintenance as rainfall intensifies across the capital.
Further clearance of drainage channels is expected to help stormwater flow more freely and reduce the risk of blocked waterways contributing to flooding.
The exercise also highlights the importance of maintaining drainage infrastructure throughout the rainy season, particularly in areas exposed to sudden and heavy rainfall.
As the operation continues, the FCTA is seeking to reduce the impact of future flash floods and protect roads and surrounding communities from the effects of torrential rainfall.
Do you think regular drainage maintenance throughout the year could help Abuja prevent flash floods more effectively?
