Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced the demolition of houses and other structures built on designated water channels in Abuja following recent flooding in parts of the nation’s capital.
Gatekeepers News reports that the demolition exercise began on Tuesday in Maitama, shortly after Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, ordered the immediate removal of structures obstructing waterways.
The action followed an inspection of areas affected by flash floods after heavy rainfall hit parts of Abuja on Saturday. Wike said buildings constructed on designated water channels had contributed to the severity of the flooding.
The minister warned that the structures would be removed regardless of the status of their owners. He said the exercise would continue from Tuesday through Saturday, stressing that no property owner would be exempted.
“We will demolish all those houses found on the water channel. Some of them are senators. Some of them are big men,” Wike said.
The FCT minister also directed officials to immediately begin desilting identified drainage channels across the territory as part of measures to address flooding.
The recent floods left residents stranded and submerged vehicles in several areas, including Maitama, Wuse 2, Gudu and Lokogoma.
Wike attributed the flooding to both natural and human factors, including construction on waterways, blocked drainage channels and indiscriminate dumping of refuse. He said the FCT Administration would enforce development regulations to prevent structures from obstructing the natural flow of stormwater.
The demolition marks the latest enforcement action by the FCTA against developments considered to be obstructing Abuja’s waterways, as authorities seek to reduce the risk and impact of flooding in the capital.
