Wike orders demolition of houses built on Abuja waterways after flooding

Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has issued a stern order for the demolition of houses built on designated water channels in Abuja. This decisive action comes after recent heavy rainfall caused significant flooding across parts of the FCT, revealing how numerous structures have obstructed the natural flow of water, contrary to the Abuja Master Plan.

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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.

Wike, speaking after inspecting flood-affected areas, expressed frustration that property owners had blocked these vital channels, seemingly believing there would be no consequences. "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 declared. He vowed that any house situated on a water channel would be removed, regardless of the owner's status.

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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. I am going to bring those houses down. Any house that falls on the water channel will go down.

The minister has given the FCT Development Control Department a strict deadline, demanding action by Saturday. He warned against any excuses, stating, "We will demolish all those houses found on the water channel." Wike explicitly stated that political affiliations or status would not shield property owners from the demolition, anticipating potential political backlash during election campaigns. "Stop it! We have finished elections. Where is the election? There is no election. All those houses will go down," he asserted, emphasizing that doing the right thing is paramount.

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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.

The minister's directive followed his inspection of flooded areas in Maitama, where he observed a structure erected on a plot that had been revoked in 2011. This plot was identified as a designated drainage area, highlighting a disregard for previous official decisions and the master plan. Wike's aide on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, confirmed the plot's revocation and its original designation as a drainage area.

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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.