Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has said she repeatedly warned authorities about the risk of flooding in Abuja, including concerns over blocked drainage channels and the erosion of designated green areas, but her warnings were not adequately addressed.
Her comments followed the heavy rainfall that triggered severe flooding in parts of the nation’s capital on Saturday, leaving residents stranded and vehicles submerged.
Kingibe said her concerns were raised well before the latest incident, stressing that she had drawn attention to the potential consequences of poor drainage, unregulated development and the obstruction of natural waterways.
According to the senator, she began raising the issue with relevant authorities after assuming office and had continued to press for action as the situation deteriorated. She said her concerns about the loss of green areas and its possible impact on Abuja’s drainage system dated back to December, while similar complaints had been made earlier.
Kingibe said she also approached officials responsible for development control to highlight the growing environmental risks and the need for preventive measures.
The senator maintained that her position was not motivated by political differences with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, but by her constitutional responsibility to protect the interests and welfare of residents of the territory.
She said she had consistently advocated cooperation between elected representatives and government ministers, regardless of their political affiliations, arguing that Abuja residents should not bear the consequences of disagreements between public officials.
Kingibe further disclosed that she wrote to the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), seeking clarification on the flooding concerns and asking the agency to identify the problems and outline the immediate measures it intended to take.
Rather than prescribing specific interventions, such as a comprehensive audit of drainage systems or the removal of structures obstructing waterways, she said her request was for the relevant authorities to assess the situation and provide a clear response.
The senator expressed disappointment that her correspondence had not received the expected attention, particularly from the FCT minister, whom she accused of failing to respond to her communications.
Her latest comments add to a series of concerns she has raised over the management and development of Abuja.
Kingibe has previously called attention to development on green areas and waterways, as well as other issues involving land administration, infrastructure and environmental management in the FCT.
She also pointed to the oversight role of the Senate Committee on the FCT, saying the National Assembly has a responsibility to scrutinise the agencies charged with managing and developing the capital.
For Kingibe, the latest flooding is therefore not simply a consequence of heavy rainfall but a warning about the need for stronger planning, effective drainage management and stricter enforcement of Abuja’s development regulations.
The senator’s position reflects a broader concern that unchecked development, encroachment on green areas and inadequate drainage infrastructure could continue to expose communities across the FCT to recurring flooding if decisive preventive measures are not taken.
