The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has directed the immediate stoppage of the use of green areas, parks and gardens in Abuja as car dealership lots. The minister, who decried the use of areas designated for parks and recreation, including the Millennium Park, as car lots, directed that all unauthorised uses of such spaces be closely monitored to ensure compliance. The directive came a day after the minister directed the immediate demolition of houses and other structures obstructing designated water channels and green spaces across the capital. These exercises came barely four days after heavy downpour in Abuja on Saturday flooded several parts of the Federal Capital Territory, disrupting vehicular movement, trapping motorists and forcing some businesses to temporarily shut as water overwhelmed roads and drainage channels. Among the worst-affected areas were Maitama Extension, Wuse 1 and Wuse 2 in the city centre, as well as parts of Durumi, Gaduwa and Gudu districts. In some locations, residents and passers-by were seen helping motorists push their vehicles away from the floodwater, while others abandoned their vehicles after the water rose to dangerous levels. Wike, who gave the directive after inspecting flood-affected areas in Maitama, immediately commenced the demolition exercise, which he said will continue until Saturday, irrespective of ongoing political activities or the status of the owners of the affected properties. FCT Administration said the demolition was necessary to restore waterways and prevent further flooding, those whose businesses were affected alleged that they were caught off guard and left counting their losses. Task force to enforce directive Following the directive on parks and green areas, Wike ordered the establishment of a task force to enforce the order. He also directed an investigation into some civil servants allegedly responsible for granting illegal approvals for the use of green areas as car dealership lots. The affected officials, particularly directors in the Parks and Recreation, Environmental Protection, Traffic Management and Urban Affairs departments, have been summoned by the FCT Head of Service, Nancy Sabanti Nathan. …defends demolition of structures on waterways The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended the demolition of structures obstructing water channels in Abuja, insisting that the exercise is necessary to protect communities from flooding. Wike spoke on Wednesday while responding to questions on the demolition exercise, which commenced following his inspection of flood-prone areas of Maitama on Tuesday. The minister said the enforcement would not be limited to Maitama, adding that the FCT Administration would move into other areas where structures had been erected on or around drainage and water channels. “Certainly. We’ve just started somewhere. After that, we’ll move to another area. We are not going to end just with what we started yesterday,” Wike said. He explained that removing structures obstructing water channels would restore the free flow of water and help address flooding in affected communities. The minister was also confronted with criticism on social media over the demolition, with some questioning whether the administration had followed due process. Wike rejected the criticism, arguing that those who erected structures on water channels were themselves not acting within the law. “What is due process? You went to block a water channel—is that due process?” he asked. According to him, the responsibility of the FCT Administration is to protect the wider public where private structures obstruct waterways and create risks for communities. “I’m the one following due process to make sure the right thing is being done,” he said. The minister’s position comes amid concerns over flooding in several parts of Abuja, including Maitama, Lokogoma and Wuse, following heavy rainfall in the capital. The FCT Administration has increasingly focused on removing structures considered to be encroaching on waterways and drainage corridors as part of measures to improve flood control and enforce the Abuja development plan.
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