Wike vows to demolish Senators, big men houses blocking water channels in Abuja

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has vowed to demolish houses built on designated water channels in Abuja, regardless of the status or political influence of their owners.

Wike made the declaration on Tuesday while briefing journalists in Abuja after inspecting areas affected by flooding over the weekend.

He said the recent flooding had exposed widespread violations of the Abuja Master Plan, particularly the obstruction of channels designated for the free flow of water.

According to him, some property owners had blocked waterways because they assumed the authorities would not take action against them.

“Unfortunately, we have gone there and we have seen how people have blocked channels where, in the Master Plan, that is the right way where water is supposed to be channelled, even by their positions they have blocked it, believing that nothing will happen,” Wike said.

He said the flooding had now provided an opportunity for the FCT Administration to identify and address the structures obstructing waterways.

“I have told people that because nothing happened yesterday, nothing will happen today, and because it did not happen today, it would not happen tomorrow,” he said.

“Now you have done your own by blocking the water channel and nothing has happened. Thank God the flood has come, which has drawn our attention to the place. Now something will happen.”

The latest flooding followed heavy rainfall over the weekend, affecting several parts of Abuja, including Wuse 2, Mabushi and Katampe.