Wike suspends FCDA director over illegal Abuja waterway approvals

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that an official of the Federal Capital Development Authority was suspended for allegedly approving buildings on waterways in Abuja.

Wike said the disciplinary action was part of measures being taken by the FCT Administration to tackle flooding in the nation’s capital.

The minister made this known during a media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he linked the worsening flood situation partly to developments that have blocked natural drainage channels.

According to him, years of construction along waterways have restricted the free flow of water, thereby increasing the risk of flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.

“The floods in Abuja today are a result of people building on waterways in Abuja illegally over the years,” Wike said.

He said the administration had also taken action against an FCDA director accused of facilitating such developments through unauthorised approvals.

“We suspended a director in the FCDA according to the Civil Service rule who was illegally giving building approvals to build on waterways,” the minister said.

Wike, however, said illegal developments were not solely responsible for the recent flooding, noting that changing weather patterns associated with climate change had also played a role.

“Climate change is also responsible for the flooding being experienced recently in Abuja,” he added.

The disclosure comes amid renewed concerns over flooding in several parts of the FCT following heavy rainfall.

The FCT Administration has stepped up the removal of structures erected on waterways and drainage corridors as part of efforts to restore natural water channels and reduce flooding risks across the capital.