Abuja flooding: Mass demolition begins after Wike’s order

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has begun demolishing houses and structures built on designated water channels in Abuja. This action came after Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, ordered the removal of structures obstructing waterways in the capital city. On Tuesday, tractors were observed demolishing some of the affected structures in Maitama, following Wike's inspection of flood-affected areas.

The Minister directed the FCT Department of Development Control to identify and remove all structures obstructing natural water passages, emphasizing that the exercise would not spare properties belonging to high-profile individuals, including senators and influential figures. Wike stated that the demolition would proceed without regard to the political affiliation or status of the property owners, asserting that any house found obstructing a water channel would be demolished.

He also announced plans to desilt blocked drainages and accelerate infrastructure projects to enhance the capital's resilience to flooding, attributing the issue partly to climate change, illegal construction, poor enforcement of building regulations, and indiscriminate waste disposal. Wike denied allegations that the FCT Administration had allocated land on waterways for estate development, stressing that such claims were unfounded.