Flooding: Demolition Begins In Maitama As Wike Moves Against Waterway Obstructions

Demolition operations have commenced in Maitama, Abuja, following a directive by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to remove properties obstructing waterways and drainage channels across the nation’s capital.

A video shared by News Central on Tuesday showed the ruins of a house demolished in Maitama, indicating that the exercise has begun following the minister’s directive.

LEADERSHIP recalls that Wike ordered the demolition after inspecting areas in Maitama affected by flooding following heavy rainfall that inundated parts of Abuja on Sunday.

The minister said several buildings identified as obstructing waterways and drainage channels linked to the flooding would be brought down between Tuesday and Saturday.

According to Wike, some property owners had blocked natural channels through which water should flow, apparently believing that flooding would not occur.

“We have seen where people blocked channels where water should pass. They did that believing that nothing will happen,” Wike said.

He warned residents and property owners against assuming that the absence of flooding at a particular time meant their structures were safe from future flooding.

“I have told people that because nothing happened yesterday does not mean it won’t happen today. That it did not happen today does not mean it won’t happen tomorrow,” the minister said.

Wike said the government would now take action against properties built on water channels, regardless of their owners’ status.

“Now, something will happen. I’m going to bring those houses down. Every house on the water channel will go down. From now till Saturday, we will bring them down,” he stated.

The demolition exercise is part of the FCT Administration’s response to the latest flooding, which affected several parts of Abuja, leaving residents stranded and submerging vehicles.

The flooding has renewed concerns about blocked drainage channels, construction on waterways and the obstruction of natural watercourses across the capital.

The FCT minister said structures obstructing waterways must be removed to restore the natural flow of water and reduce the risk of further flooding.