By Opeyemi Adelakun
Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the demolition of houses and other structures built on designated waterways in Abuja following recent flooding across parts of the capital.
Wike gave the directive on Tuesday after inspecting flood-affected areas in the FCT, where he said some property owners had blocked channels designated for water flow under the Abuja Master Plan.
The minister warned that structures obstructing the waterways would be removed, regardless of the status of their owners.
“Now you have done your own by blocking the water channel, and nothing has happened. Thank God the flood has come, it has drawn our attention to the place. Now, something will happen. I am going to bring those houses down,” Wike said.
He directed the FCT Development Control Department to take action against the affected structures by Saturday.
Wike said the demolition would not be suspended because some of the properties belonged to influential individuals, including politicians.
The minister’s directive followed his inspection of flooded areas in Maitama, where he also visited a drainage area occupied by a structure reportedly built after the plot was revoked in 2011.q
Wike said the recent flooding had exposed the consequences of obstructing natural and planned water channels, stressing that the FCT Administration would enforce the Abuja Master Plan.
The flooding followed heavy rainfall in parts of Abuja on Saturday, prompting renewed concerns over drainage infrastructure and development on waterways.
Leave a Reply