Abuja — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate demolition of houses and other structures found to be obstructing designated water channels in Maitama and other flood-prone areas of Abuja.
Wike gave the directive on Tuesday after inspecting areas affected by the recent flooding in Maitama, warning that the enforcement would begin immediately and continue until Saturday.
According to the minister, the exercise will not be suspended because of ongoing political activities or the status of the owners of affected properties.
«“We will demolish all those houses found on the water channel. Some of them are senators. Some of them are big men,” Wike said.»
He insisted that no property owner would be spared if their building was found to have been constructed on a designated water channel.
«“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.”»
Wike Blames Human Activities for Abuja Flooding
The FCT Minister said the recent flooding had exposed several human activities contributing to flooding across the nation’s capital.
He identified the construction of buildings on waterways, blockage of drainage channels, indiscriminate dumping of refuse, inadequate desilting and poor supervision of developments as major factors worsening the situation.
Wike said inspections by FCT officials revealed that some property owners had blocked channels designated in the Abuja Master Plan for stormwater.
«“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.»
According to him, many of the affected properties belong to wealthy Nigerians and have existed for several years.
«“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 added that some of the buildings had been standing for between eight and ten years.
‘No Political Will’ Excuse, Wike Says
Wike suggested that previous administrations may have lacked the political will to enforce development regulations in some areas, while some officials may also have failed to properly perform their duties.
He, however, said the current FCT Administration was prepared to take difficult decisions where necessary.
«“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 also rejected attempts to attribute the entire flooding crisis to political factors, saying flooding could result from both natural and human causes.
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Climate Change Also a Factor
Wike acknowledged that the intensity of recent rainfall could be partly linked to climate change and changing weather patterns.
He noted that major cities around the world, including Dubai, the United States and the United Kingdom, have also experienced severe flooding.
«“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 that there are no man-made factors. There are.”»
He maintained that climate change should not be used to overlook the impact of human activities such as building on waterways and blocking drainage infrastructure.
FCT Orders Immediate Desilting
The minister directed relevant FCT authorities to immediately begin desilting drainage systems identified as problematic during the inspection.
«“Yes, we have to immediately start desilting some of the areas we have identified,” he said.»
He also appealed to residents, traders and other members of the public to stop dumping refuse into drainage channels.
Development Control Given Until Saturday
Wike specifically directed the FCT Development Control Department to ensure that there was no delay in enforcing the demolition order.
«“From today to Saturday, if Development Control delay, let them find any excuse to run away. They cannot,” he warned.»
The minister said any building found to be located on a designated water channel would be demolished, regardless of when it was constructed or who owned it.
«“I’m going to bring those houses down. Any house that’s found on the water channel will go down.”»
He also warned against the conversion of designated green areas in Abuja to other uses, saying the administration would continue to protect the city’s environmental assets and enforce planning regulations.
Wike Defends FCT Administration
The minister dismissed criticism from political commentators over the flooding and the government’s response, insisting that the administration would remain focused on addressing problems in the FCT.
He also defended the administration’s record on the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O), saying 26,272 certificates had been signed within the past three years, compared with about 7,000 signed by two previous administrations over a combined period of 13 years.
Wike urged residents to assess the administration based on its overall performance rather than using the recent flooding alone to judge its achievements.
«“Nobody can diminish what this administration has done in the past three years. Nobody can diminish it,” he said.»
He acknowledged that challenges remain but maintained that the administration had made progress in addressing major infrastructure and development issues across the FCT.
Abuja Flooding Puts Urban Planning Under Spotlight
The demolition order is expected to intensify scrutiny of developments around waterways, drainage corridors and other environmentally sensitive areas across Abuja.
For residents affected by flooding, the key concern is whether enforcement will go beyond Maitama and reach other communities where blocked drainage channels, refuse dumping and construction around waterways have contributed to flooding.
Wike’s directive signals a tougher approach by the FCT Administration towards structures that violate Abuja’s approved development plans.
The minister maintained that political considerations would not prevent the government from enforcing planning regulations.
«“Something that was done wrongly will not be corrected? No, we will not allow that. We won’t,” he said.»
He added that the administration would continue to address problems raised by residents and focus on what it considers to be in the best interest of the Federal Capital Territory.
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