Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate demolition of houses and other structures found to be obstructing designated waterways in Maitama and other parts of Abuja.
Wike gave the directive on Tuesday shortly after inspecting flood-affected areas in Maitama, where he said the government had identified structures blocking channels designated in the Abuja Master Plan for the passage of stormwater.
He directed the FCT Development Control Department to commence the demolition of the affected structures immediately, warning that the exercise must not be delayed on account of the political season or the status of property owners.
“We will demolish all those houses found on the water channel. Some of them are senators. Some of them are big men.
“Whether there’s election or there’s no election, all those houses will go down. Heaven will not fall. Rather, heaven will be at peace that the right thing has been done.”
The minister said the recent flooding had exposed the extent to which human activities had contributed to the problem, particularly the construction of buildings on waterways and in areas not designated for development.
According to him, some of the structures identified during the inspection had blocked channels meant to convey floodwater, with some of the developments having existed for several years.
“Unfortunately, we have gone there, and we have seen how people have blocked channels where, in the Master Plan, that is the right way where the water is supposed to be channelled,” he said.
Wike said the affected buildings were largely owned by wealthy Nigerians, insisting that the government would not allow the status of property owners to prevent enforcement of planning regulations.
“All those built-up areas that were not supposed to be built up, not a single poor person will live there. Those houses are houses built by well-to-do Nigerians,” he said.
“Those houses are not houses that were built last week. Those houses have been there 10 years ago, eight years ago.”
He said previous administrations might not have had the political will to enforce development regulations, while some government officials may also have failed to effectively carry out their responsibilities in supervising developments.
But Wike insisted that his administration would act against structures found to be obstructing waterways, regardless of who owned them.
“And let nobody make the mistake that this government lacks the political will to do anything. The person must be making a very big mistake,” Wike said.
“If there is one minister that has that political will, I have. I have the political will.”
The minister gave the Development Control Department until Saturday to commence the demolition, warning officials against delaying the exercise.
“From today to Saturday, if Development Control delay, let them find any excuse to run away. They cannot,” he said.
Wike also directed the relevant authorities to begin immediate desilting of drainage systems in areas identified during the inspection, saying blocked drainage infrastructure was among the factors contributing to flooding in the capital.
“The facility management is not here. Director is not here. Yes, we have to immediately start desilting some of the areas we have identified,” he said.
He also identified indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage channels as another factor that worsens flooding, urging residents and traders to properly dispose of their waste.
The minister further warned against the conversion of designated green areas and other protected spaces to uses not permitted under the Abuja Master Plan.
He said the administration would continue to enforce planning regulations even where illegal developments had existed for years.
“Something that was done wrongly will not be corrected? No, we will not allow that. We won’t,” Wike said.
Wike said the flooding had provided an opportunity for the FCT Administration to identify and address some of the structures and activities contributing to the problem.
“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,” he said.
“I’m going to bring those houses down. Any house that’s found on the water channel will go down.”
