The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has directed the demolition of buildings constructed on designated waterways and drainage channels in Abuja.
Wike issued the directive on Tuesday after inspecting areas affected by flooding in the FCT following heavy rainfalls.
The minister said the inspection revealed that some property owners had obstructed water channels designated under the Abuja Master Plan, contributing to the flooding witnessed in parts of the capital.
According to him, the recent flooding had exposed the dangers posed by structures built on waterways, stressing that such buildings would no longer be allowed to remain.
Wike directed the FCT Development Control Department to identify and demolish structures found on designated water channels by Saturday.
He warned that the directive would apply regardless of the status or influence of the owners, including politicians and other prominent individuals.
The minister said property owners who had blocked waterways could not continue to rely on the fact that flooding had not occurred previously, stressing that the consequences of obstructing natural water channels had now become evident.
Wike’s directive followed his inspection of flood-affected areas, including a designated drainage area occupied by a structure despite an alleged revocation of the plot in 2011.
The minister’s aide on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, said the location had initially been allocated but was subsequently revoked because it was a drainage area.
The FCT Administration has also said it ws 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.
