Education
‘No big man will be spared’ – Wike orders demolition of houses built on waterways in Abuja – EnviroNews
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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has directed the FCT Department of Development Control to immediately demolish all structures built on water channels and right-of-way zones across the territory.
Wike, who gave the directive while briefing newsmen after inspecting the flood-affected areas on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in the high-brow Maitama District, Abuja, declared that “no big man or senator will be spared”.
Wike stated that the recent flooding in parts of the nation’s capital was heavily aggravated by man-made factors, particularly illegal developments blocking natural drainage channels.
“We have gone there, and we have seen how people have blocked channels where in the master plan, that is the right-of-way where water is supposed to be channeled.
“People, by their positions, have blocked it, believing that nothing will happen. I have told people this in life, that nothing happened yesterday does not mean that something will not happen today.
“Now you have done your own by blocking the water channel, and nothing has happened. Thank God the flood has come and have drawn our attention to the place; now something will happen. I’m going to bring those houses down.
“Any house found on the water channel will go down. From today to Saturday, let the Development Control not find any excuse – they cannot,” Wike declared.
He noted that when the demolition commenced, people would complain that the timing was wrong because of campaigns for 2027 elections.
“The next thing you’ll hear is ‘oh, why is he doing this during election period?’ ‘It’s politics. Let us finish the election.’ All those houses will go down.
“Some of the owners of those houses are senators, some of them are big men. Heaven will not fall; rather, heaven will be at peace that the right thing has been done,” he said.
The minister rejected attempts by critics to frame the administration’s response as a failure of governance or a political vendetta.
He emphasised that flooding is a global issue driven by climate change that affects even developed nations like the United States, England, and Dubai.
He also identified man-made causes through illegal developments, unauthorised conversion of public green areas into commercial parks and indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage manholes.
He equally pointed at people or government officials not carrying out their functions by desilting the drainages as another man-made problem.
“It is these man-made factors we have been trying to tackle, and we will continue to tackle. So, you cannot take all these factors as failure of government. No, it’s not correct,” he said.
He pointed out the illegal structures obstructing the waterways were not erected by the poor, but by high-net-worth individuals allowed by previous administrations that lacked the political courage to enforce the Abuja Master Plan.
“Those houses are houses built by well-to-do Nigerians; those houses are not houses that are built in hours; those houses were there 10 years ago, eight years ago.
“Previous administrations may not have had the political will. Officers of government may not have been encouraged to do what they’re supposed to do.
“I have the political will and what has happened today will show Nigerians that we have the political will to tackle those man-made factors.
“It doesn’t matter who is responsible. It doesn’t matter how highly placed you are. My interest is that we continue to do the right thing in the city, and we will not stop,” he said.
Wike denied claims that the current administration allocated water channel pathways to developers, challenging accusers to produce verifiable evidence and building approvals.
He declined to engage the critics, stating that he would not waste energy replying to political commentators on television channels who aim to politicise natural disasters.
“I don’t want to reply to people who think that appearing on television stations will give them an edge to win an election that they have lost. No.
“Nobody can diminish what this administration has done in the past three years. This administration has done very well as far as the FCT is concerned.
“I cannot claim that we have solved all problems. No, but have we solved some problems? Yes. Have we solved major problems? Yes. Will we continue to solve problems? Yes.”
Addressing public comments made by Sen. Ireti Kingibe, representing FCT at the Senate, regarding synergy and administration oversight, Wike dismissed the remarks as political posturing.
He urged Kingibe to focus on introducing impactful legislation on the floor of the National Assembly rather than seeking media attention during crises.
Meanwhile, Wike has reaffirmed commitment to transforming Abuja’s infrastructure, with major road projects targeted for completion by December 2026 and early January 2027.
Wike gave the assurance in Abuja on Tuesday, after inspecting the ongoing construction of the Inner Southern Expressway (Goodluck Jonathan Way) and the service carriageways of the Southern Parkway in Gaduwa District.
The minister expressed confidence that the projects would reshape the urban layout and enhance seamlessly interconnected mobility across the territory.
According to him, the completion of the long-standing projects will dramatically alter the aesthetic and functional design of the city center.
“I am quite confident by December ending, God willing, these two projects will have been delivered to us, and you can imagine what the landscape will be,” Wike stated.
He emphasised the visual and structural impact the completed interchanges and carriageways will have on the capital.
“Beyond physical infrastructure, the minister noted the positive socio-economic ripple effects on local communities, pointing out that local youth have been actively engaged in the construction efforts, fostering a peaceful environment free from community conflicts.
“With the target deadline set for the end of December, the completion of these critical corridors is expected to decongest major traffic arteries, improve citywide connectivity, and usher in a modern urban era for the FCT,” he said.
He praised the project’s main contractor, China Geo-Engineering Corporation (CGC), for maintaining continuous day-and-night operations on both the Southern Parkway and ISEX, a crucial artery originally awarded in 2014 that had experienced years of delays.
Wike highlighted the financial support from the federal government as a catalyst for the accelerated pace of work.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for approving the complete release of funds for the ISEX Phase 1, an intervention that covers the construction of two major interchanges and over five kilometers of road infrastructure.
Commending CGC for demonstrating faith in the current administration by progressing significantly despite delayed initial mobilisation, the minister urged other contractors in the FCT to adopt a similar approach focused on development over immediate financial gain.
“Everything is not about profit; sometimes it is about your contribution to the development of the area. Money will come at the end of the day,” Wike noted.
He reassured contractors that the administration remains committed to honoring its financial obligations and cautioned firms against external pressures from competitors seeking to slow down the pace of construction.
By Philip Yatai