Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has commenced the demolition of structures built on waterways and other restricted areas in Abuja, with bulldozers deployed to parts of Karsana District on Monday.
As of about 12pm, bulldozers were operating around the Karsana axis near Mab Global Estate, Efab Metropolis Estate, Ipent 7 Estate and other surrounding locations.
Several structures were affected in the ongoing enforcement exercise, including residential buildings, lounges and a school.
The development comes days after FCT Minister Nyesom Wike ordered the immediate removal of buildings obstructing designated waterways following flooding in parts of Abuja.
Wike had directed the FCT Development Control Department to identify and demolish structures constructed on designated water channels, insisting that the enforcement would apply regardless of the status or influence of property owners.
“And certainly, we have gone there, and we have seen how people have blocked channels where in the master plan, that is the right way where a channel is supposed to be. People, by their positions, have blocked it, believing that nothing will happen,” he said.
The minister said the recent flooding had exposed the consequences of obstructing natural water channels and warned that structures found on waterways would be removed.
“Now you have done your own by blocking the water channel, and nothing has happened. Thank God the flood has come; it has drawn our attention to the place. Now, something will happen. I am going to bring those houses down. Any house that falls on the water channel will go down,” he said.
The demolition exercise is also linked to the FCT Administration’s wider enforcement of the Abuja Master Plan, including measures to protect designated green areas from unauthorised development.
Wike had said the administration would not allow green areas, parks and other protected spaces to be converted for uses outside their designated purposes. He also announced measures to remove car dealers operating in designated green areas.
The minister said the administration would continue with the enforcement across the capital, stressing that the exercise would not be restricted to the areas where demolition initially began.
“We just started somewhere. After that, we will move to another area. We are not going to end where we started yesterday. We are very serious and I can tell you that we are not going back. It doesn’t matter who is affected,” he said.
The crackdown followed heavy rainfall that caused flooding in several parts of Abuja and renewed concerns over buildings constructed on waterways, blocked drainage channels, developments in prohibited areas and other violations of the capital’s planning regulations.
Wike also directed the immediate desilting of identified drainage systems and urged residents, traders and other users of public spaces to stop dumping refuse into drainage channels.
The FCT Administration says the enforcement is aimed at restoring the free flow of stormwater, reducing flood risks and ensuring that development across Abuja complies with the Abuja Master Plan.
