For thousands of Abuja residents, Tuesday’s heavy downpour turned routine journeys into hours of frustration as floodwaters swept across major roads, paralysing traffic and leaving motorists and commuters stranded in several parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Airport Road and Lugbe axis were among the worst affected, with flooding also reported around Nile University Junction, Airport Junction and Wuye.

As floodwaters accumulated on the roads, motorists were forced to slow down, abandon some routes or seek alternative passages, worsening the already heavy traffic on the Airport Road corridor.

For some commuters, the situation became so difficult that they could not complete their journeys.

A resident, Joy Israel, said the flooding was so severe that people travelling from Kuje were forced to stop halfway through their journey.

The latest incident, which occurred on September 1, came barely two weeks after similar flooding hit parts of Abuja, renewing concerns about the recurring problem and the effectiveness of measures being taken by the FCT Administration.

The flooding has also raised questions over the implementation of the N2.3 trillion 2026 FCT budget, particularly the extent to which the huge allocation is being translated into functional drainage infrastructure and effective flood-control measures.

Residents and other Nigerians expressed frustration online, with several attributing the recurring flooding to poor drainage maintenance, unregulated development and the obstruction of natural waterways.

One netizen, Mustapha Shika, said poor maintenance of stormwater drainage was only part of the problem, arguing that continued construction on green areas, floodplains and natural water channels had gradually reduced the pathways available to carry excess water.

“Some of these developments have to be reversed and the waterways restored. Otherwise, we will keep experiencing the same flooding every year,” he said.

Another commenter, Variety Vault, blamed the situation on the alleged conversion of Abuja’s green areas for permanent structures, warning: “This is just the beginning.”

Similarly, Adebayo Oluwatosin questioned the alleged allocation of waterways for development, saying: “When you allocate waterways to your friends, what do you expect? Water must find its level.”

The recurring flooding comes against the backdrop of moves by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to demolish structures allegedly erected on waterways and drainage channels across the territory.

The administration has maintained that structures obstructing natural waterways contribute to flooding and must be removed to restore the free flow of water.

However, Tuesday’s incident has renewed calls for a more comprehensive approach to the problem, including improved drainage infrastructure, stricter enforcement of planning regulations and the restoration of natural waterways.