By Osaretin Osadebamwen
A retired Air Vice Marshal and environment/climate change expert, Akugbe Iyamu, has called for sanctions against individuals and developers who violate environmental laws, warning that continued disregard for Abuja’s original master plan could worsen flooding and turn environmental challenges into national security threats.
Iyamu made the call while discussing the increasing vulnerability of Abuja to flooding and other consequences of climate change, stressing that the Federal Government must enforce existing environmental regulations rather than allow violations to continue unchecked.
“As it comes to Abuja, we are going to be feeling it. We have to apply sanctions to anybody that is not following the environmental laws,” he said.
Iyamu said Abuja was conceived as a purpose-designed city, with its original planning incorporating environmental considerations aimed at making the Federal Capital sustainable and resilient.
He said Japanese architect Kenzo Tange took the original planning framework further by zoning the city and creating green areas and spaces to help regulate temperature and improve the city’s environmental conditions.
According to him, about 40 per cent of Abuja was originally designated as green areas, but the spaces have been significantly reduced by development, thereby undermining the environmental balance envisaged for the capital.
He warned that the continued encroachment on green areas and natural drainage systems was contributing to the city’s growing vulnerability to flooding.
“You can’t continue to constrict nature and expect nature not to react,” Iyamu said.
The retired Air Vice Marshal also identified blocked drainages, poor waste management and inadequate infrastructure as major concerns requiring urgent intervention.
He called on the authorities to return to Abuja’s master plan, upgrade existing facilities and educate residents on environmental responsibility.
“If you go around Abuja, the drainages are blocked. Refuse is taking over everywhere,” he said, urging authorities to combine pragmatism with long-term planning.
Iyamu further criticised the departure from the principles upon which Abuja was designed, saying the city was deliberately conceived as “anti-Lagos” because its planners sought to avoid problems associated with Lagos.
“Today, Abuja is fast becoming Lagos,” he said, attributing the development largely to the human factor.
He also warned that poorly managed development could go beyond environmental concerns, arguing that when development destroys businesses, eliminates livelihoods and increases poverty and desperation, it becomes a national security challenge.
Iyamu urged leadership to take responsibility and enforce environmental laws, stressing that proactive measures were necessary to prevent worsening climate-related disasters in Abuja.
