The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned that more structures blocking waterways and drainage channels in Abuja will be demolished as the administration steps up enforcement over flooding concerns.
Wike spoke on Wednesday after inspecting ongoing projects along the Tunga Madaki-Zuba axis of the FCT.
He said the demolition, which began after his inspection of flood-prone areas of Maitama on Tuesday, would continue in other parts of Abuja where structures had been built on or around drainage and water channels.
“Certainly. We’ve just started somewhere. After that, we move to another area. We are not going to end just with what we started yesterday,” he said.
Wike said clearing blocked waterways would allow water to flow freely and help reduce flooding risks in affected communities.
On social media criticism over the demolitions and questions about due process, he said structures built on water channels could not be regarded as lawful.
“What is due process? You went to block a water channel, is that due process?” he asked.
He said the FCT administration had a duty to protect the public when private structures block waterways and put communities at risk of flooding.
“I’m the one following due process to make sure the right thing is being done,” Wike said.
The enforcement comes amid flooding concerns in Maitama, Lokogoma and Wuse after heavy rainfall in Abuja.
Meanwhile, Wike said the FCTA plans to complete and commission at least 10 major projects before the 2027 general elections.
He said five of six box culverts under construction along the Tunga Madaki-Zuba axis had been completed, while the last one is expected before the end of the year.
He added that he would continue inspecting projects, with two more scheduled for Thursday.
“By the end of the year, we would have had at least up to 10 projects, as promised, lined up for commissioning before the general election,” Wike said.
