Abuja: The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has declared that the ongoing demolition of structures erected on waterways across the nation’s capital will continue unabated. Wike made this announcement following his inspection of ongoing projects in Abuja, asserting that his administration would persist with the demolitions regardless of the individuals affected.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the minister revealed that the current exercise marks the beginning of a comprehensive crackdown aimed at restoring the city’s Master Plan and preventing environmental disasters. He emphasized that the clearance operations would extend across all parts of the FCT where illegal structures obstruct natural water flow and violate urban planning regulations.
Wike reassured residents of the FCT Administration’s commitment to seeing the exercise through. In a related enforcement move, he disclosed issuing an official query to the Director of Urban Planning for granting approvals that allowed car dealers to convert designated green zones into auto sales lots. Decrying the indiscriminate conversion of utility and recreational spaces, Wike expressed outrage at the commercial vehicle displays overtaking scenic locations and park spaces across the territory.
He announced an immediate ban on all car sales activities within public green spaces, noting that a dedicated task force had been constituted to enforce the total removal of auto dealers from these zones. Wike advised vehicle sellers to secure and develop legitimate commercial properties for their operations, stressing that the administration would no longer tolerate the misuse of spaces earmarked for ecological balance and public recreation.
Reiterating his firm stance on enforcement operations, the minister dismissed any expectations of executive leniency. He maintained that law and order must be restored to the FCT regardless of the status of property owners. Addressing concerns about blocked drainage systems, Wike explained that the demolition of illegal structures directly on water channels remains the most effective solution to restoring proper flow and safeguarding communities from severe flooding.
He dismissed criticism from commentators alleging a lack of due process in the government’s clearance operations, questioning the logic of those who constructed buildings illegally on natural drainage paths. The minister stressed that removing hazardous blockages to protect the broader public was the ultimate expression of due process.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the FCT Administration began demolishing houses and structures built on waterways in Maitama as directed by the minister. The move, according to Wike, is to prevent flooding currently affecting some areas of the capital city.