Wike orders immediate demolition of houses built on Abuja waterways

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has announced an immediate demolition of houses built on designated waterways in Abuja. Following a recent inspection of flood-affected areas in Maitama and other regions of the capital, Wike emphasized that the demolition process would commence immediately and conclude by Saturday.

He stressed that the demolition would not be halted due to political activities or the status of property owners. According to Wike, numerous buildings had been constructed on the waterways outlined in Abuja's Master Plan for stormwater movement. Regardless of ownership, every house built on these water channels will be demolished, including those belonging to influential individuals like senators.

Wike stated that this demolition would proceed irrespective of the election period, emphasizing that upholding the law and doing what is right would not cause harm. The flooding has exposed the impact of human activities, including buildings constructed on waterways, blocked drainage channels, and refuse dumping, as well as inadequate maintenance of drainage systems.

An inspection revealed that some property owners had obstructed channels, as outlined in the Abuja Master Plan, which indicated where water should flow. Many of the affected buildings, often owned by wealthy Nigerians, have existed for eight to ten years, suggesting that previous administrations may not have enforced the regulations adequately.

Wike asserted that the current FCT administration is determined to take action, warning that those who believe the current administration lacks political will to enforce regulations would be mistaken. He directed relevant FCT authorities to begin desilting identified drainage channels contributing to flooding and called on residents to stop throwing refuse into drainage channels.

Wike reiterated that the flooding should not be reduced to a political issue, acknowledging that while climate change and heavy rainfall are contributing factors, human activities also play a significant role.