By Remi Johnson
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate demolition of structures identified as contributing to flooding in Maitama, Abuja, declaring that he has the political will to take decisive action irrespective of who may be affected.
Wike who gave the order today in Abuja after visiting the flood Prone locations in Maitama, warned Department of Development Control that no excuses would be tolerated.
The Minister while reacting to criticisms surrounding the recent flooding in parts of Abuja and allegations that the administration had failed to adequately address the problem, vowed that the FCTA would no longer tolerate actions that obstruct waterways .
He cautioned against politicising thman- made factors, assuring that the government would confront both natural and human-induced causes of flooding headon in the territory.
The Minister urged Nigerians to distinguish between constructive criticism and political attacks designed to score electoral points, emphasizing that the administration is committed to implementing practical solutions.
Wike dismissed what he described as politically motivated comments aimed at diminishing the achievements of the FCT Administration over the past three years.
According to him, the administration has performed creditably in the FCT, although he acknowledged that not all the problems confronting the territory had been completely resolved.
“No Nobody can diminish what this administration has done in the past three years. This administration has done very well as far as the Federal Capital Territory is concerned. That is very clear.
“Are we solving problems? Yes. Have we solved major problems? Yes. Are we going to continue to solve problems? Yes,” Wike assured.
Wike also cited the administration’s record in land administration, particularly the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-Os), as evidence of its commitment to improving the ease of doing business in the FCT.
He said the administration had signed about 26,000 C-of-Os within three years, compared with about 8,000 issued over the preceding 13-year period.
According to him, the figures demonstrated the administration’s determination to reform land administration and improve access to property documentation in the nation’s capital.
He expressed disappointment that some critics had shifted attention to flooding instead of acknowledging the administration’s achievements.
The Minister noted that the phenomenon was not peculiar to Abuja or Nigeria, said major cities across the world, including Dubai, the United States and the United Kingdom, had experienced serious flooding.
He identified construction on designated waterways, building on areas not approved for development, failure to desilt drainage systems and indiscriminate dumping of refuse as major contributing factors.
The Minister warned that individuals responsible for blocking water channels should not expect political considerations to shield them from enforcement action.
He also rejected attempts to attribute every government enforcement action to political rivalry or opposition.
“If you are my political opponent, did I send you to block the water channel? I didn’t tell you to go and block the water channel, so Heaven will not fall ” Wike said.
Wike appealed to Nigerians to provide constructive criticism and draw the government’s attention to genuine problems requiring urgent intervention.
He assured residents that the FCT Administration would continue to do what is right and would not be distracted by politically motivated attacks.
The Minister urged stakeholders to put the interests of Abuja and the nation above partisan considerations, and maintained that the government would continue to identify illegal developments and activities that interfere with the natural flow of water.
He assured Nigerians that the FCT Administration would not relent in taking difficult decisions necessary to safeguard residents and the environment.
The Minister’s position signals a renewed enforcement drive against structures and activities considered responsible for worsening flooding in Abuja, insisting that political considerations would not prevent the administration from taking action where public safety and environmental protection were at stake.