Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has ordered the immediate demolition of houses built on designated water channels in Abuja, warning that structures obstructing waterways will be removed. The directive follows heavy flooding across the FCT over the weekend, which Wike inspected on Tuesday during a press briefing at his office.
Inspection Reveals Blocked Channels
Wike said his inspection showed that some property owners had blocked channels designated for water flow under the Abuja Master Plan. He emphasized that the recent flooding had exposed the consequences of such actions, and the affected structures would be demolished.
“And certainly, we have gone there, and we have seen how people have blocked channels where in the master plan, that is the right way where a channel is supposed to be. People, by their positions, have blocked it, believing that nothing will happen,” he said.
Demolition Order and Deadline
The minister gave the FCT Development Control Department until Saturday to act against structures found on waterways. He warned that no excuses would be accepted, saying, “From today to Saturday, if Development Control likes, let them find any excuses. If they like, let them find excuses—too bad. They can’t. We will demolish all those houses found on the water channel.”
Wike stressed that the demolition would not be affected by the status of property owners, including politicians. “Some of them are Senators, some of them are big men. The next thing you’ll see is campaigns now: ‘Oh, why is he doing this during the election?’ That is the next campaign you will see now. Stop it! We have finished elections. Where is the election? There is no election. All those houses will go down. Heaven will not fall; rather, heaven will fall if the right thing has not been done.”
