Abuja Flood: Review Land Allocations Under Wike— Adeyanju Tells Tinubu
Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently order a comprehensive review of land allocations and developments in designated green areas, parks, gardens, drainage corridors and waterways across the Federal Capital Territory.
Adeyanju made the call in an open letter addressed to the President on Monday, following concerns over flooding in several parts of Abuja.
The appeal came amid reports that floodwaters had submerged parts of Maitama Extension, affecting several residential properties and reigniting concerns over alleged alterations to drainage channels and green areas within the highbrow district.
Politics Nigeria reports that among the properties affected are the residence of Kano State Deputy Governor, Murtala Garo, and that of former Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase.
Residents of the area attributed the flooding to the alleged covering of a major canal that previously served as a natural route for stormwater during heavy rainfall.
They alleged that the canal was covered to create space for construction, with several duplexes subsequently erected around the affected area.
One resident claimed that about 14 duplexes had been constructed on what was previously a green area and canal corridor.
“They covered a very big canal. And this is the result,” the resident was quoted as saying while describing the flooding.
Adeyanju, in his letter, argued that the recurring flooding across Abuja could no longer be dismissed as a mere consequence of heavy rainfall, noting that areas previously considered less vulnerable to flooding were increasingly being affected.
The legal practitioner said Abuja was conceived as a modern capital city with designated green areas, parks, gardens, recreational spaces, drainage corridors, canals and waterways incorporated into its Master Plan for both environmental preservation and flood control.
According to him, the master plan is now under serious threat as some of the areas reserved for environmental purposes have allegedly been converted for residential and other developments by Nyesom Wike-led administration.
Adeyanju cited several locations, including the green area opposite Blake’s in Area 11, the green area around Rita Lori Hotel, the green area around MTN in Maitama and the green area around the old Customs Office in Wuse Zone 3.
He also raised concerns over the alleged covering of a major canal in the Maitama area to pave the way for residential construction, which he said was allegedly linked to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai.
Adeyanju stressed that the FCT Emergency Management Department had identified several communities as flood-prone, including Lokogoma, Galadimawa, Lugbe, Maitama, Wuse, Garki, Asokoro, Guzape, Gwarinpa, Nyanya, Kubwa, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali and Abaji, among others.
“This is an emergency,” he declared.
He urged President Tinubu to intervene before the situation worsens, warning that continued development over Abuja’s green spaces and drainage corridors could expose even areas previously considered relatively safe to severe flooding.
Adeyanju said Abuja’s environmental condition has national implications because the city hosts the Presidency, National Assembly, judiciary, diplomatic missions, international organisations and millions of residents and workers.
He therefore urged the Federal Government to take immediate steps to restore the integrity of the Abuja Master Plan and prevent further encroachment on critical drainage and ecological infrastructure.
