Flooding: Wike Vows Demolition of Structures Blocking Waterways

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has ordered an investigation into the recent flooding in Lugbe and other parts of the Airport Road corridor, as well as Lokogoma District.

Wike disclosed this during his September media chat in Port Harcourt, warning that structures obstructing waterways or violating the Abuja Masterplan would be demolished.

He said the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) was investigating the causes of the flooding to determine whether it was caused by natural factors or worsened by human activities.

The Minister said a high-level team comprising the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and the Director of Development Control had been deployed to inspect the affected areas along Airport Road, including Lugbe, and Lokogoma.
“When I heard of the incident,

the Executive Secretary of the FCDA and the Director, Development Control, had to go to the place, not only at the Airport Road but also in Lokogoma.

“The one that is man-made, we can solve the problem; the one that is natural, there is nothing we can do, it becomes a natural disaster. So, it is something that we have to investigate,” he said.

Wike acknowledged that the recent rainfall in the FCT had been unusually heavy but said preliminary findings suggested that violations of the Abuja Masterplan could have worsened the flooding.

He specifically accused some residents and developers of constructing structures without approval, blocking natural waterways and encroaching on areas designated for roads and other public infrastructure, particularly in Lugbe.

“From our studies, Lugbe has always been violating the Abuja Masterplan. Over the years, you see people building without approval and blocking where is supposed to be a road or waterway.”

The Minister vowed that the FCTA would enforce the Abuja Masterplan and demolish any structure found to have been erected on waterways or other prohibited areas.

Wike also dismissed claims that some structures marked for demolition were legitimately approved by previous administrations, insisting that approvals obtained through influence or in violation of government policy would not legitimise illegal developments.

“You got approval to do something wrong? Government policy is that nobody should do anything on green areas.

Now you go with the spirit that nothing will happen, and then when we come to enforce, you say you have approval. It is not going to be accepted,” Wike said.

The Minister said the FCTA was also investigating alleged back-door approvals granted for developments on flood plains and green areas, stressing that such approvals would be treated as null and void.

He said the FCTA was taking the issue seriously and would not allow unauthorised developments to compromise the city’s drainage system and masterplan.

“As an administration, we are not taking it lightly,” he said.

Wike further disclosed that disciplinary measures had been taken against officials accused of facilitating illegal developments and encroachment on green areas and waterways.

According to him, a director in the administration was recently suspended in line with civil service rules over allegations of issuing unauthorised temporary approvals to commercial operators on designated green areas.

He added that another official had been sanctioned for allegedly reallocating park lands under the guise of security clearing.