Demolition of buildings obstructing waterways began in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday following a directive by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The exercise, announced by Wike earlier, targets structures built on or blocking designated water channels across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The minister said houses found on waterways would be demolished “between today and Saturday” as part of efforts to tackle flooding and restore the city’s drainage channels.
“Between today and Saturday, the buildings blocking the waterways will be brought down. We will demolish all the houses found on the water channels, and heaven will not fall,” Wike said.
The Maitama operation marks the immediate start of the enforcement exercise, with authorities expected to extend the campaign to other areas identified as containing obstructions to drainage. The FCT Administration has warned that structures encroaching on drainage channels pose a serious threat to flood management and urban planning.
The latest exercise will focus on buildings and other structures the administration says are impeding designated water channels in the capital.
