Buffeted by recent heart-dampening flooding incidents, residents of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have heaved a sigh of relief as the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) commenced the desilting of drainages, gully inlets and manholes.
The move is part of proactive measures to mitigate the risk of flooding and blockages of roads in the nation’s busy capital.
The exercise, carried out by Department of Facilities Maintenance and Management (DFMM), aims to clear out clogged drains, gully inlets and manholes, enhancing their capacity to handle heavy rainfall.
The initiative is part of FCTA’s effort to combat the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall, ensuring the security of lives and property.
Major drainage channels, gully inlets and manholes in Yakubu Gowon Crescent at Asokoro have been desilted of accumulated silt, debris and other wastes which had resulted to stagnation of water, thereby hindering motorists and other road users from pursuit of their daily activities.
The Department also carried out major desilting work on Constitution Avenue beside NNPC Towers; Jabi; Apo; Park Way; Gudu District; and Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) by Camp WU Bassey.
These have brought immense relief and excitement to residents, especially motorists who ply these major roads.
Speaking during the exercise, the Director of DFMM, Engr. (Dr.) Ayuba A. Usman, a Fellow of Nigeria Society of Engineers (FNSE), said: “The FCT Administration is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of residents.
“We recognize that effective and operational drainage system is crucial in preventing flooding that could disrupt lives and economic activities in Abuja.”
Engr. Usman added that these measures will drastically reduce the adverse effects of flooding, thereby promoting safer environment when residents equally play their role.
“Desilting is a critical part of a broader strategy to improve drainage system and to ensure safety; therefore, dumping of refuse indiscriminately in drainages can increase the chances of flooding,” he cautioned.
He urged residents to take ownership of public infrastructure provided by the government by ensuring that wastes are properly disposed of, adding that FCTA remains committed to ensuring a safer environment for everyone by continuously addressing maintenance needs across the territory.
Public Reaction
The initiative has been greeted by welcome response by FCT residents.
Some residents interviewed by People&Politics were effusive in praises of FCTA for relieving them of a major debilitating albatross.
For instance, a commercial vehicle driver, who identified himself as Taju Adeniyi, thumbed up the Administration for the gesture.
He said:“Kai! What they have done, especially for us taxi drivers who depend on the roads daily to take care of our families, is a very great thing indeed.
“In my business, time, speed and free roads are important factors that determine how much I can make in a day, because I still have to go balance my Oga (make returns to the car owner).
“The flooded roads often gave me daily bad market due to go-slow and all the delays, but now I’m so happy, with the desilting work, it’s go on straight (drive smoothly without delay).
“I thank FCT Administration and the Minister Wike for this desilting-o. In fact, they have tried nobi small.”
Another resident, Makama Mustapha, said his business involves regular movement to physically connect one client or the other, recalling that before the desilting began, it was “hell for me moving about easily.”
He said his financial returns dipped for months, thus directly impacting his family welfare and other plans, due to the inability to move about as quickly and smoothly as desired.
However, according to Mustapha, all that is now history as he is able to go about his business as before the advent of the rainy season.
He said:”I want to thank the Federal Capital Territory Administration for this desilting program. I think they have people like me in mind before they started the projects.
“They don’t know the positive impact the desilting has on my finances presently. For me, I’ll vote for them in 2027. Yes, I make mine public. No shaking there.”
*PHOTO CAPTION: An aspect of the work going on at a popular road in Abuja.
