Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has raised concerns over the increasing construction on flood channels and drainage corridors across Abuja, warning that such developments are contributing to recurring flooding in the capital.
Kingibe, of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said the FCT’s original master plan was designed to regulate development and preserve spaces needed for proper drainage and flood control.
“You cannot construct on every space in a city, especially since the city had a master plan that totally contradicts that,” she said.
She alleged that several designated flood channels within the FCT were being built on, leaving rainwater with fewer natural pathways to flow during heavy downpours.
The senator’s comments come amid growing concerns over flooding in parts of Abuja following periods of intense rainfall, with residents and motorists in some areas experiencing inundated roads and properties.
Kingibe stressed the need for authorities to enforce the city’s planning regulations and protect drainage corridors from unauthorised development.
She said proper adherence to the FCT master plan was essential to preventing avoidable flooding and ensuring that Abuja’s rapid urban expansion did not come at the expense of public safety.
The senator’s remarks have renewed calls for stronger enforcement of development controls, particularly in areas identified as flood channels and green or environmentally sensitive zones.
