Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said the ongoing demolition of structures obstructing drainage channels will extend beyond Maitama to other parts of Abuja as the administration intensifies efforts to tackle flooding and enforce the Abuja Master Plan.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Rabi Umar, Deputy Director of Press in the office of the minister, Wike said the exercise would continue across the FCT.
The FCT Administration began demolishing structures erected on waterways on Tuesday following Wike’s directive.
Speaking after inspecting ongoing projects in Abuja on Wednesday, the minister said the demolition would not be halted regardless of who might be affected.
“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,” Wike said.
Defending the exercise against questions about due process, Wike said structures blocking water channels could not be justified.
“You went to block a water channel, is that due process? I’m the one following due process to make sure the right thing is being done.”
He said removing the obstructions would allow water to flow freely through the proper channels and help reduce flooding.
“By the time we remove those structures that block the water channel, there will be free flow of water to where it is supposed to be.”
FCT Bans Car Dealerships in Green Areas
Wike also announced a ban on the unauthorised conversion of green areas, parks and recreational spaces into car dealerships and parking lots.
He said a task force had been established to remove car dealers operating from such areas, including locations around Millennium Park.
“Everywhere you have green areas, you have carports now. So, I’ve already stopped it, and I’ve set up a task force to make sure that every car dealer is moved out of the green areas,” he said.
The minister added that the FCT Head of Service, Nancy Nathan, had summoned relevant directors to explain how approvals were granted for car dealers to operate in designated green areas.
Wike Praises Road Projects
Wike also expressed satisfaction with the progress of several road projects inspected during his tour of the capital.
He commended China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for continuing with the projects despite receiving less than 30 percent mobilisation funding.
The minister disclosed that at least 10 major infrastructure projects are expected to be commissioned across the FCT before the end of the year.
Source: FCT Administration
