Abuja High Court: Wike Orders Demolition of Structures on Water Channels

• The Federal Capital Territory Administration has commenced the demolition of structures built on designated water channels in Abuja.
• Minister Nyesom Wike ordered the immediate removal of structures obstructing waterways in the capital after inspecting flood-affected areas in Maitama District.
• The demolition exercise targets properties belonging to high-profile individuals, and officials are working to identify and remove structures obstructing natural water passages and flood channels across the FCT.
• Wike attributed flooding partly to climate change and heavy rainfall, but identified illegal construction on drainage routes, poor enforcement of building regulations, and indiscriminate waste disposal as major contributors to flooding in the FCT.

Heaven will not fall; rather, heaven will be at peace that the right thing has been done,” the FCT minister added.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has embarked on an ambitious urban renewal project in Abuja, aimed at mitigating the effects of flooding in the city. At the heart of this effort is the demolition of structures built on designated water channels, a move that has been ordered by Minister Nyesom Wike. The minister's directive, which was issued after inspecting flood-affected areas in Maitama District, targets properties obstructing natural water passages and flood channels across the FCT. This exercise will not spare even high-profile individuals, as Wike emphasized that no property is immune to demolition if it falls on a water channel.

The minister's decision has sparked concerns among residents, who are worried about the fate of their properties. However, Wike has assured them that the administration is committed to addressing structural violations that have persisted in the FCT. He also announced plans to desilt blocked drainages in affected districts and accelerate key infrastructure projects, including the Lokogoma road project, to strengthen the capital's resilience to flooding.

While attributing flooding partly to climate change and heavy rainfall, Wike identified illegal construction on drainage routes, poor enforcement of building regulations, and indiscriminate waste disposal as major contributors to flooding in the FCT. He urged residents to support the administration's urban renewal efforts and dispose of waste properly to prevent the blockage of manholes and drainage channels.

The demolition orders issued by Minister Wike have raised questions about property rights in Abuja. Under the FCT's development control laws, structures built on designated water channels are considered illegal and subject to removal. However, some residents have expressed concerns that their properties may be demolished without due process.

Lawyers advising clients with properties in Abuja should be aware of these developments and take immediate action to avoid losing their properties. The FCT Administration has commenced the demolition exercise, and officials are working to identify and remove structures obstructing natural water passages and flood channels across the FCT.

It is worth noting that Wike has denied allegations that the FCT Administration had allocated land on waterways for estate development. He emphasized that such allocations would be impossible under the FCT's master plan, which prioritizes the protection of water channels and drainage routes.

The flooding in Abuja has been a persistent problem, with devastating consequences for residents and businesses. The city's infrastructure is woefully inadequate to handle the heavy rainfall that occurs during the wet season.

The urban renewal efforts led by Minister Wike aim to address these issues and make Abuja more resilient to flooding. By demolishing structures built on water channels and desilting blocked drainages, the administration hopes to reduce the risk of flooding in the city.

However, critics have argued that the demolition orders are a knee-jerk reaction to the flooding crisis, rather than a thoughtful solution. They point out that the administration has failed to address the root causes of the problem, such as poor enforcement of building regulations and indiscriminate waste disposal.

Lawyers advising clients with properties in Abuja should be aware that the FCT Administration has commenced demolition of structures built on designated water channels, and clients may need to take immediate action to avoid losing their properties.

Source: Original reporting via {Source}