Wike Orders Demolition Of Houses Built On Abuja Waterways

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate demolition of buildings constructed on designated waterways and drainage channels in Abuja.

Wike gave the directive on Tuesday during a press briefing 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 blocked channels designated for water flow under the Abuja Master Plan, contributing to the flooding witnessed in some areas.

According to him, structures built on waterways would be removed regardless of the status or influence of their owners.

“I am going to bring those houses down. Any house that falls on the water channel will go down,” Wike said.

He directed the FCT Development Control Department to identify and act against buildings obstructing waterways, giving the agency until Saturday to commence the demolition exercise.

Wike also dismissed concerns that the action could be influenced by the political status of the property owners, noting that some of the affected structures belonged to prominent individuals, including serving senators.

He said the recent flooding had exposed the consequences of obstructing natural and designated water channels, stressing that authorities could no longer ignore structures built in such locations.

The minister’s directive followed an inspection of flooded areas in Maitama, where he visited a designated drainage area on which a structure had reportedly been erected despite the plot having been revoked in 2011.

Lere Olayinka, the minister’s aide on Public Communications and Social Media, identified the location as a drainage area that was allocated but subsequently revoked.

The FCT Administration has also been reviewing the 1979 Abuja Master Plan to reflect current realities, while measures are being taken to improve drainage infrastructure and prevent the removal of drainage covers by scavengers.

The latest directive comes amid growing concerns over flooding in Abuja following heavy rainfall recorded in parts of the nation’s capital.