The Federal Government has pinpointed blocked manholes, silt accumulation, solid waste, and poor upkeep of underground drains as primary triggers of recent flash flooding in parts of Abuja.
In a technical report released by the Ministry of Environment, Director of Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management, Usman Bokani, stated that the deluge was not solely due to heavy rainfall but was critically worsened by obstructions within the capital’s stormwater network.
The Ministry warned that the incident exposes deep-seated lapses in Abuja’s drainage infrastructure management.
“Our technical team discovered multiple manholes and inlets choked with silt, debris, and refuse, which restricted flow and induced hydraulic surcharge, backflow, and surface inundation during downpours,” the report read.
It added: “Sewage-contaminated water was also detected at several sites, indicating possible cross-connections, damaged or illegal links, or deficient maintenance of wastewater systems.”
To forestall recurrence, the Ministry called for a city-wide preventive maintenance regime, pre-rainy season inspections, a digital inventory of drainage assets and flood-prone zones, and coordinated monitoring with FCT authorities.
It stressed that proactive upkeep—rather than reactive emergency measures—is vital to restoring hydraulic capacity, curbing sewage reflux, and bolstering Abuja’s resilience to seasonal flooding.
