Wike Orders Demolition of Houses Built on Abuja Waterways
Nafiu Muhammad Lema
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate demolition of houses and other structures built on designated waterways across Abuja.
Wike issued the directive on Tuesday after inspecting areas affected by flooding in parts of the FCT following heavy rainfall.
The minister said the inspection revealed that some property owners had obstructed channels designated for water flow under the Abuja Master Plan, warning that such structures would no longer be tolerated.
According to Wike, the recent flooding had exposed the dangers of building on waterways and demonstrated the need for the FCT Administration to enforce planning regulations.
He directed the FCT Development Control Department to identify and remove structures built on water channels, giving the agency until Saturday to take action.
Wike declared that the demolition order would apply to all affected properties regardless of the status or influence of their owners.
The minister specifically warned that the exercise would not spare properties belonging to politicians, senators or other prominent individuals, stressing that public safety and compliance with the Abuja Master Plan must take precedence.
He said the administration would not allow political considerations to interfere with efforts to restore blocked waterways and prevent further flooding.
Wike’s directive followed an inspection of flood-affected locations in Maitama, where he also visited a designated drainage area occupied by a structure despite the plot reportedly having been revoked in 2011.
The minister’s aide on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, described the location as a drainage area that had initially been allocated but was subsequently revoked.
The FCT Administration has also been reviewing the 1979 Abuja Master Plan to align it with current realities, while measures are being introduced to improve drainage infrastructure and prevent the removal of drainage covers by scavengers.
The latest directive comes amid renewed concerns over flooding in Abuja following heavy rainfall recorded in the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday.
The FCT Administration is expected to commence enforcement against structures found to be obstructing waterways as part of efforts to reduce the risk of further flooding in the capital.
