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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Ex-lawmaker backs Wike’s demolition of buildings on waterways

From The Punch · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Former lawmaker Sam Onuigbo backed Abuja demolitions ordered by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike against structures blocking waterways and drainage channels.
  • Onuigbo said protecting residents and the overriding public interest should outweigh the interests of property owners whose buildings worsen flood risks.
  • The FCT began the demolitions after flooding in parts of the capital, while Wike attributed the flooding partly to heavy rain, climate change, illegal construction and poor enforcement.

Former House of Representatives member Sam Onuigbo has endorsed Nyesom Wike’s demolition of buildings blocking waterways and drainage channels in Abuja, saying individual property interests cannot outweigh the safety of thousands of residents.

Onuigbo, recently elected president of Globe Legislators International, made the comments at a press conference in Abuja on President Bola Tinubu’s achievements. He said structures built across natural water channels should be removed when they expose communities to flooding.

If people on their own just set up structures to obstruct the drainage because they believe the minister was not paying attention, they deserve to be punished.

· Sam OnuigboThe former lawmaker defended penalties and demolitions for structures blocking Abuja’s drainage channels.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration began demolishing houses and other structures on designated water routes after renewed flooding in parts of the capital. The operation started in Maitama on Tuesday, shortly after Wike inspected flood-affected areas and ordered the immediate removal of obstructions. Officials later deployed tractors to other affected sites.

It does not mean that if some individuals obstruct the flow of water affecting thousands of people, one should not demolish their buildings.

· Sam OnuigboOnuigbo argued that public safety justified removing buildings obstructing waterways.

Wike also instructed the FCT Department of Development Control to identify and remove structures blocking natural water passages, saying the enforcement would not exempt properties owned by high-profile individuals. He attributed flooding in parts of the FCT partly to climate change and heavy rainfall, while also pointing to illegal construction on drainage routes, weak enforcement of building rules and indiscriminate waste disposal.

“If people on their own just set up structures to obstruct the drainage because they believe the minister was not paying attention, they deserve to be punished,” Onuigbo said. “It does not mean that if some individuals obstruct the flow of water affecting thousands of people, one should not demolish their buildings.” He added that Wike was “doing a fantastic job” by restoring order in the overriding public interest.

You don’t build a house knowingly to obstruct the drainage.

· Sam OnuigboHe warned property owners against construction that could worsen flooding.
About this summary

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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