Abuja flood: Demolition will reach every part of FCT – Wike declares

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has announced that ongoing demolitions targeting illegal structures built on drainage channels will expand from Maitama District across the entire territory without exception.

Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, following an extensive inspection tour of major infrastructure projects across the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Minister emphasised the administration’s firm stance on enforcing environmental and urban compliance.

“We just started somewhere. After that, we will move to another area. We are not going to end where we started yesterday. We are very serious and I can tell you that we are not going back. It doesn’t matter who is affected,” Minister Wike declared.

Dismissing criticism regarding due process prior to the demolitions, the minister noted that blocking natural waterways gives room for flooding, threatening public safety: “You went to block a water channel, is that due process? I’m the one following due process to make sure the right thing is being done… By the time we remove those structures that block the water channel, there will be free flow of water to where it is supposed to be.”

In addition to clearing waterways, Wike announced an immediate, territory-wide ban on the unauthorised conversion of public recreational zones, green spaces, and parks, including areas surrounding the Millennium Park, into commercial car dealerships and parking lots as part of efforts to manage flooding being experienced in some parts of the Federal Capital City.

Deeply decrying the negative trend, the minister announced the establishment of a dedicated task force to enforce compliance and clear all unauthorised auto dealers from green zones.

“You can imagine, everywhere you have green areas, you have carports now. So, I’ve already stopped it, and I’ve set up a task force to make sure that every car dealer is moved out of the green areas.

“If you want to sell your car, you go and purchase somewhere and then develop it. Not where you see green. You just go and start selling cars or where is supposed to be a recreational park turned into the car selling point, we will not accept it again,” the Minister stated.

Accordingly, the FCT Head of Service, Nancy Sabanti Nathan, has summoned key directors, including those overseeing Parks and Recreation, Environmental Protection, Traffic Management, and Urban and Regional Planning, for questioning regarding illegal approvals issued to car dealers.

Providing updates on the projects he inspected, including the extension of the access road from Tungan Madaki community near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to Zuba, the road extension from the Body of Benchers to Ring Road III and the dualisation of the access road serving Nile University and Baze University in the Institutions and Research District, the minister expressed satisfaction with the progress and quality of work.