Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate demolition of houses and other structures built on designated water channels in Abuja, including properties belonging to some senators and other influential Nigerians.
Demolition of properties blocking waterways has commenced in Maitama, Abuja, following Wike’s directive.
The minister issued the order after inspecting areas affected by Saturday’s flooding in the nation’s capital, warning that political pressure would not stop the exercise.
Wike said some of the houses obstructing waterways belonged to senators and “big men”, insisting that their status would not protect them from demolition.
“Some of them are senators. Some of them are big men. The next thing you will see is campaign now, ‘Oh, why is he doing this during the period of election? Stop him! Let us finish election.’
“Whether there’s election or there’s no election, all those houses will go down. Heaven will not fall. Rather, heaven will be at peace that the right thing has been done,” Wike said.
He directed the FCT Development Control Department to commence the demolition of the affected structures immediately, giving officials until Saturday to act.
Wike warned that officials must not delay the exercise under any guise, saying the administration had the political will to enforce the Abuja Master Plan.
“From today to Saturday, if Development Control delays, let them find any excuse to run away. They cannot. We will demolish all those houses found on the water channel,” he said.
The minister attributed the flooding to heavy rainfall and climate change, as well as human activities including construction on waterways, poor drainage and indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
He said the recent flooding had exposed several locations where buildings were constructed on channels reserved in the Abuja Master Plan for the passage of water.
Wike also ordered the immediate desilting of affected drainage systems and warned residents, traders and other users of public spaces against dumping refuse in drainage channels.
He maintained that the administration would continue to enforce planning regulations and remove structures obstructing waterways, regardless of the status of their owners.
