Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has directed the immediate demolition of buildings and other structures found to be obstructing designated water channels in Abuja.
Wike gave the directive on Monday after inspecting areas affected by the recent flooding in the nation’s capital, warning that political influence would not prevent the enforcement of planning regulations.
The minister disclosed that some of the properties identified as obstructing waterways belonged to senators and other influential Nigerians.
He said the structures would be removed regardless of the status of their owners, insisting that public safety must take priority over political considerations.
“I’m going to bring those houses down. Any house that’s found on the water channel will go down,” Wike said.
He directed the FCT Development Control Department to begin the demolition immediately and complete the exercise on identified structures within the week.
Wike also warned officials against delaying the operation, saying the administration had the political will to enforce the Abuja Master Plan.
The minister attributed the flooding to both natural and human factors, including climate change, heavy rainfall, construction on waterways, development in restricted areas and inadequate drainage maintenance.
He also identified indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage channels as another factor worsening flooding in the capital.
According to him, while flooding can occur naturally, authorities must address the human activities that contribute to its severity.
“We are in a climate change period. The kind of rains we have experienced, or we are experiencing now, we have not experienced before. But that is not to say that there are no man-made factors. There are,” he said.
Wike said the recent flooding had exposed several locations where buildings had been erected on waterways reserved under the Abuja Master Plan for the free passage of water.
He argued that the affected properties were largely owned by wealthy individuals and not residents who could not afford alternative accommodation.
The minister also ordered the immediate desilting of identified drainage systems and urged residents, traders and other users of public spaces to stop disposing of waste in drainage channels.
He further warned against the unauthorised conversion of green areas and other protected spaces for construction, stressing that the administration would continue to enforce the city’s planning regulations.
Wike dismissed attempts to politicise the flooding, saying the incident should instead be used as an opportunity to identify and address the factors responsible for flooding across the FCT.
The minister also highlighted some achievements of the President Bola Tinubu administration in the capital, particularly in land administration.
He said the FCT Administration had issued more than 26,000 Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) within three years, describing the figure as an indication of progress in land administration.
Wike maintained that the FCT Administration would continue to enforce regulations and address challenges affecting the capital, regardless of political pressure.
“My interest is we’ll continue to do the right thing in FCT, where no one will stop,” he said
Source: The Guardian Nigeria