IMAGES of the devastating flooding that swept through parts of the Federal Capital Territory on August 15 were genuinely shocking. Homes and businesses were overwhelmed. Vehicles were submerged, commuters stranded, and some families forced to move to upper floors for safety. In Maitama, Asokoro and Wuse, where residents would ordinarily expect the highest standards of planning and infrastructure, the destruction was sobering.
Thankfully, no loss of life was reported. But the damage, disruption and embarrassment caused by the flooding should not be dismissed as an unavoidable consequence of heavy rainfall or climate change.
The disaster raises fundamental questions about how Abuja is managed and whether the city is prepared for heavy rainfall.
At about 1,575 feet above sea level, Abuja does not have the geographical vulnerability of low-lying coastal cities such as Lagos. But flooding depends not only on topography but also on drainage capacity, the preservation of natural waterways and the ability to cope with intense rainfall.
Blocked drains and canals, and indiscriminate dumping of refuse have been blamed for the flooding. So have major construction projects and buildings linked to residents, including senators, which obstruct natural waterways or drainage corridors.
