The Federal Ministry of Environment has attributed the flash flood that hit Blantyre Crescent, Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Wuse II, Abuja, on Saturday, August 15, to blocked manholes and underground drainage channels across the area.
A technical report by the ministry’s Department of Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management revealed that silt, solid waste and debris clogging several manholes and drainage inlets had restricted stormwater flow, causing the drainage system to overflow during the downpour.
The findings were contained in a report following an on-the-spot assessment carried out on Monday, August 17, by a technical team led by the department’s Director, Usman Abdullahi Bokani, acting on the directive of the Minister of Environment.
According to the report, although the intense rainfall triggered rapid urban runoff, the blocked drainage inlets and restricted underground channels worsened the volume of water that built up on the surface.
Sub-heading: Hydraulic Surcharge, Backflow Blamed
The report explained that under intense rainfall, a restricted drainage system cannot evacuate runoff efficiently, resulting in hydraulic surcharge, backflow and surface flooding.
The ministry also raised concerns over signs of sewage-contaminated water discovered at several locations within the Abuja City Centre, noting that the contamination may be linked to cross-connections, drainage surcharge, or poor maintenance of drainage and wastewater networks.
It called for an integrity assessment of the affected networks to determine the source of the contamination and ascertain whether damaged or illegal connections were responsible.
Sub-heading: Wider Infrastructure Problem
The ministry described the Blantyre Crescent flooding as a reflection of a broader drainage infrastructure maintenance crisis across the Federal Capital City.
It recommended immediate desilting of the affected manholes and drainage channels, alongside inspection of upstream and downstream sections of the network for hidden blockages.
The report further called for a comprehensive condition assessment of underground stormwater infrastructure across Abuja City Centre, especially in flood-prone areas with a history of recurrent inundation.
Sub-heading: FG Proposes Preventive Measures
The ministry proposed that critical drainage assets be inspected and desilted ahead of every rainy season, with additional checks during periods of heavy rainfall. It also recommended creating a digital register of manholes, drainage channels, flood-prone locations and maintenance records to strengthen the city’s drainage management.
The report urged FCT authorities and the Federal Ministry of Environment to conduct joint periodic monitoring of drainage infrastructure and maintenance activities, warning that emergency clearing alone cannot resolve Abuja’s recurring flooding problems without a shift toward preventive, scheduled maintenance.
The ministry said it would formally communicate its findings to relevant FCT environmental and development authorities to seek immediate intervention at Blantyre Crescent, alongside the establishment of a comprehensive, verifiable routine maintenance programme for manholes and stormwater infrastructure across Abuja City Centre.
The technical team comprised Bokani as team lead, alongside Engr. Attah Abdullahi, Engr. Feyisetan Ayomiposi and Engr. Isa Yahaya.
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