The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has given a strict five-day window for the removal of all structures erected along water channels in Abuja, with enforcement scheduled to commence on Tuesday and conclude by Saturday.
Wike announced the timeline during an inspection tour of flooded areas in the nation’s capital, where he expressed frustration over the persistent obstruction of drainage systems by illegal constructions. He made it clear that his administration would not tolerate any deviation from the city’s master plan, regardless of the status of those involved.
“Between today and Saturday, the buildings blocking the waterways will be brought down. We will demolish all the houses found on the water channels, and heaven will not fall,” Wike declared.
The minister’s ultimatum follows widespread flooding over the weekend that left several Abuja neighbourhoods, including Wuse, Jabi, Maitama, Katampe and Apo, submerged. Many residents have blamed the recurring flooding on years of unregulated development and the encroachment of green areas, but Wike was quick to reject claims that his administration had any role in allocating such lands for building.
During his visit to Maitama, the minister and his team came across a property that had been constructed on a designated drainage corridor. A signpost on the site indicated that the plot had been revoked in 2011 due to overriding public interest. The inscription read: “DRAINAGE AREA KEEP OFF! NOTE – PLOT 4508 A06 REVOKED (22/12/2011) DUE TO OVERRIDING PUBLIC INTEREST. F.C.T.”
Wike used the discovery to reinforce his position, insisting that those who built on water channels did so without lawful approval and must now face the consequences. He stressed that proper planning and adherence to existing regulations were essential to safeguarding lives and property in the city.
The minister further dismissed fears that the demolition would cause hardship, arguing that allowing the structures to remain posed a far greater danger to the public. He maintained that the exercise was not about punishment but about restoring order and preventing future disasters.
However, the planned demolition has drawn mixed reactions from residents and property owners. While some have applauded the move as long overdue, others have expressed concern about the short notice and the potential loss of investments. Critics have also accused the FCT Administration of failing to enforce planning laws consistently over the years, thereby encouraging the very violations now being punished.
In response to the criticism, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, defended the administration’s record. He argued that flooding in Abuja was not a new phenomenon and that the current leadership had inherited many of the challenges now being addressed. He pointed to similar incidents recorded in previous years and insisted that the FCT Minister was taking concrete steps to tackle the root causes.
Olayinka noted that the administration was reviewing the outdated 1979 Abuja Master Plan to align with current realities and had also begun installing drainage covers designed to resist theft and tampering. He maintained that the ongoing enforcement actions demonstrated the government’s commitment to protecting the city’s infrastructure and residents.
The FCT Administration has in recent months intensified its crackdown on illegal developments, including the demolition of properties built on lands acquired through forged documents. Officials have also warned land speculators and developers to desist from encroaching on floodplains and other restricted areas.
Wike, however, has given no indication of backing down, reiterating that the safety of the majority must take precedence over the interests of a few.
He concluded with a firm assurance that the demolition would go ahead without exception, adding that the long-term benefits of a properly planned city far outweighed any temporary discomfort the exercise might cause.
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