Businesses and residents along Mississippi Street in Maitama, Abuja, are counting their losses after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) demolished structures built along waterways.
The demolition began on Tuesday following an order by Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to remove structures obstructing waterways across the capital.
The directive came after flash floods affected parts of Wuse 2, Gudu and Lokogoma on Saturday.
According to reports in the area, some affected business operators and residents said they received little or no notice before the exercise.
At Xpresso Café and Resto-Bar, parts of the property were demolished, leaving sections of the establishment damaged.
Ezekiel, a staff member, said officials arrived in the morning to mark the property before Wike arrived with bulldozers.
“They came yesterday morning and started marking the place. In less than 30 minutes, the minister came and in less than 15 minutes, we saw bulldozers,” he said.
He alleged that the demolition went beyond the areas marked by officials.
“There was a marking on a little of our fence. But it was mostly on the tall building next to us that the marking was. Instead, they were more on our side than their side when they were demolishing,” he said.
Ezekiel also said he was unaware of any compensation arrangement for the damage.
Another business near the café was also affected.
Samuel, a staff member, said he saw two government officials at the location on Monday but did not realise they were preparing for demolition.
“They were here on Monday. I saw two men who were government officials, but I didn’t know that they planned to demolish this place. They just came and painted some parts there. Then yesterday, I saw FCT minister Wike. He came with a bulldozer,” he said.
While acknowledging that the area experiences flooding during heavy rainfall, Samuel questioned the extent of the demolition.
“They said they want to create a waterway, but this space is enough for a waterway. They damaged property and wanted to clear the entire place,” he said.
He said residents would support efforts to tackle flooding but wanted drainage works carried out without unnecessary destruction.
“When rain falls, water enters here. We admit that he is doing this for our favour, but we would be happy if he creates a proper drainage without damaging property,” he said.
An apartment complex beside Xpresso Café also had its fence damaged during the exercise. Its manager, who declined to be identified, said the property had not received prior notice and declined further comment.
Wike, however, said no structure obstructing waterways would be spared.
“Whether there’s election or there’s no election, all those houses will go down. Heaven will not fall. Rather, heaven will be at peace that the right thing has been done,” he said.
The minister said the demolition would continue from Tuesday to Saturday as part of efforts to open waterways and prevent further flooding in Abuja.
The FCTA says the exercise is necessary to address flooding, while affected businesses and residents have raised concerns about inadequate notice, damaged property and uncertainty over compensation.
