-.Wike threatens mass demolitions in FCT
Favour Ishember, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday ordered the immediate demolition of all structures built on water channels in Abuja, declaring that no individual, “not even senators and other big men,” will be spared.
Speaking shortly after inspecting flood-hit areas in the capital, Wike said the administration will not allow politics to overshadow the reality of flooding, climate change, and human encroachment.
Wike pushed back against critics who linked the recent flooding to the FCT administration, noting that flooding is not new to Abuja.
“No one can diminish what we have done in 3 years”.
“The moment they saw figures on the C-of-Os signed, they took the issue of flood as if this is the first time there’s flood in Abuja,” he said.
“Are we solving problems? Yes. We believe that when problems come, it is not proper to begin to politicise them.”
He argued that flooding is a global problem worsened by climate change, citing recent floods in Dubai. He also referenced projections by forecast agencies.
“Even forecast agencies project where there will be flooding.
Dubai has experienced flooding. We are in global warming,” Wike said.
“But that’s not to say there are no man-made factors.”
“We have political will”. Demolitions will start this week”.
The minister blamed human activities for worsening the situation in Abuja, specifically the blocking of natural water channels and conversion of green areas.
“We have gone there and have seen how people have blocked channels which on the master plan are the right water channels,” he said.
“People converting green areas to parks.”Wike announced a sweeping enforcement action to begin immediately.
“I’m going to bring those houses down. Any house I find on water channels are going down between now and Saturday,” he declared.
“Some of the houses are owned by Senators, and other big men. Whether there’s election or not all those houses will go down.”
He added that desilting would also commence right after the inspection.
“Immediately after now, we’ll start desilting the areas that we have identified.”
Wike said the government would not waste time responding to “political commentators” and thanked Nigerians who flagged the issues early.
“I appreciate those Nigerians who mean well by drawing our attention to it.
I hope now that we are starting to demolish, you won’t cry saying we are after political opponents.”
Addressing allegations that the FCT administration approved buildings on floodplains, Wike issued a categorical denial.
“How can anyone believe one can allocate water channels?
I want to deny categorically that this administration allocated water channels. If anyone has evidence of such, come out and show it,” he said.
The minister also took aim at FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe.
“If she knows there’s a problem, she’s one of those who make the law,” Wike said.
“I’m not going to work with her. There’s no working with her because when you lay a wrong foundation, its difficult to correct”.
On the Osun election, Wike suggested the President could have influenced the outcome differently.
“If the President wanted to win Osun at all costs, I would have been there and the governor would know it would have been different.”
FCT officials say enforcement teams will move between Tuesday and Saturday to identify and pull down all structures obstructing drainage channels, followed by a massive desilting exercise in identified flood-prone areas.
Wike maintained that while the government cannot solve every problem overnight, it has the will to tackle man-made factors “no matter who they are.”
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