The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate demolition of houses and other structures built on designated water channels in Abuja following renewed flooding in parts of the capital.

Wike issued the directive after inspecting areas affected by flooding, including Maitama, where he said developments obstructing designated waterways would no longer be tolerated.

The minister warned that the enforcement exercise would apply regardless of the status or influence of the property owners.

Government Moves Against Structures Blocking Waterways

According to the FCT Administration, buildings constructed on designated water channels can obstruct the natural movement of stormwater and increase flood risks in surrounding communities.

Wike said the FCT would proceed with removing structures that interfere with water channels, regardless of whether their owners are politically influential.

The directive comes after heavy rainfall caused flooding in parts of Abuja, renewing concerns over drainage infrastructure and development in flood-prone areas.

Maitama Among Areas Affected

Maitama was among the areas inspected following the flooding.

The FCT Administration has identified structures obstructing waterways as part of the factors requiring urgent attention as authorities respond to flooding across the capital.

Wike’s position is that property ownership or political influence should not shield buildings that violate planning requirements or obstruct critical drainage channels.

Flooding Raises Questions About Urban Planning

The latest enforcement action goes beyond demolition.

It highlights the consequences of allowing development to take place without adequate consideration of drainage networks, flood plains and natural water channels.

As Abuja continues to expand, increasing construction has placed greater pressure on existing infrastructure. Where drainage systems are inadequate or waterways are blocked, heavy rainfall can quickly expose weaknesses in the city’s urban-planning system.

For residents, the consequences can include damaged homes, disrupted transportation and losses to household and commercial property.

Property Development Needs Stronger Planning Controls

The development also reinforces the importance of verifying planning approvals before purchasing or developing property.

A building may have significant financial value, but that does not protect it from enforcement action if it is found to violate applicable planning or environmental requirements.

For developers, proper site assessment and compliance with approved land-use plans are therefore essential before construction begins.

For buyers, the episode is another reminder that property due diligence should go beyond checking ownership documents. Planning approval, permitted land use, drainage arrangements and the location of the property in relation to waterways also matter.

Balancing Development and Flood Protection

Abuja’s growing population means the demand for housing and other developments will continue.

But urban expansion cannot come at the expense of the infrastructure and natural systems needed to manage rainfall.

The FCT’s latest action demonstrates the need for authorities to combine enforcement with long-term investment in drainage infrastructure, flood mapping and transparent development controls.

The immediate demolition order may address individual structures, but preventing future flooding will require consistent planning enforcement before buildings are constructed.

For Abuja’s housing market, the message is clear: a development that ignores waterways and drainage can become a risk to both its residents and the wider city.

The post Wike Targets Buildings Obstructing Waterways After Abuja Flooding appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Global real estate markets are exposed to climate-related risks that are largely ignored in property valuation and investment decisions, according to Oluwaseun Ajayi, a real estate economist and climate-risk scholar.

Ajayi, winner of the 2025 Emeritus Professor Sarah Sayce Award for Sustainability Research in the United Kingdom, said property markets continue to rely on outdated valuation models that fail to account for long-term climate threats such as flooding, heat stress, and sea-level rise.

He explained that most property valuations focus on historical sales data and current rental income, even though climate change presents risks that build gradually and can cause sudden asset losses.

“Until climate risk is properly priced, it will continue to be ignored,” Ajayi said.

Hidden risks in global property markets

Ajayi’s award-winning research, titled Pricing the Unseen, examined how climate risk is underestimated even in countries with advanced infrastructure and planning systems.

Using the UK’s Thames Estuary 2100 Plan, a major flood protection programme, his study found that property markets still fail to fully reflect long-term flood risks. According to his findings, some real estate portfolios could face hidden losses of up to 25 percent over time if climate risk is eventually priced correctly.

He described this as a financial risk, not just an environmental concern.

Why Lagos and Nigeria should be concerned

Ajayi said the implications are even more serious for Nigeria, particularly Lagos, where flooding has become a frequent occurrence in areas such as Lekki, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Ajah, and parts of Badagry.

Despite major interventions like Eko Atlantic and the Lagos State Climate Action Plan, climate risk is not formally integrated into property valuation standards, mortgage lending, or insurance pricing.

According to Ajayi, delayed recognition of these risks could lead to sudden market corrections, loss of property value, and wider economic disruption.

What government should do

Ajayi recommended three immediate steps for Lagos State:

Introduce climate-adjusted property valuation, where flood risk, heat exposure, and infrastructure reliability are treated as measurable financial factors.

Treat adaptation infrastructure as a long-term financial commitment, supported by clear regulations, delivery timelines, and planning controls.

Create a Lagos Climate Risk Map, linked directly to property taxes, mortgage approvals, and insurance pricing.

He said these measures would improve market stability and investor confidence rather than discourage investment.

Investors and climate risk pricing

Responding to concerns that climate risk pricing could scare investors, Ajayi said investors are more concerned about unexpected losses than transparent risk assessments.

“Markets collapse when risk is hidden and suddenly revealed. Transparent pricing creates stability,” he said.

Can Africa adopt climate-risk tools?

Ajayi said African institutions can adopt advanced tools such as Climate Value-at-Risk and machine learning faster than expected. He noted that Nigeria already has access to key data sources, including satellite climate data and property transaction records.

The main challenge, he said, is coordination among government agencies, financial institutions, universities, and professional bodies.

Looking ahead

Ajayi said the award strengthens his focus on policy advisory work, capacity building, and applied research aimed at helping governments and investors make informed decisions.

He encouraged young African professionals to focus on producing practical, policy-relevant work that addresses real economic challenges.

The post Opinion- Real estate markets globally are sitting on climate risk they cannot see – Oluwaseun Ajayi appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Nigerian Red Cross Society, Lagos State Branch, has launched a Disaster Risk Reduction Club at Ebenezer African Church Primary School, Egbeda, to promote flood preparedness and safety awareness among pupils and their communities.

The initiative, implemented under the Italian Government–funded Flood Resilience Project in collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, aims to equip young Nigerians with knowledge and practical skills to identify and respond to disaster risks.

The Administrative Officer of the Lagos Branch, Adeshile Nicholas, said the clubs teach pupils how to prevent floods, respond during emergencies, and practice good hygiene and first aid. He added that the project is active in about seven states, including Lagos, Enugu, Edo, and Cross River, with interventions in Alimosho and Eti-Osa carried out in partnership with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency.

Nicholas noted that behavioral change and limited mobility remain key challenges, adding that poor waste disposal habits continue to worsen flood risks.

A Security Officer from the Red Cross National Headquarters, Michael Olufemi, highlighted the importance of early disaster education, saying it helps pupils become agents of resilience in their communities. He also urged improved environmental management to address blocked drains, a major cause of flooding in Lagos.

The event was attended by representatives of the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Local Education Authority, National Disaster Response Team, and the NRCS National Headquarters, featuring sessions on early warning and disaster response.

Through the Flood Resilience Project, the Nigerian Red Cross Society reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and livelihoods from climate-related disasters.

Source: Punch

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Abuja’s green spaces  the parks, open fields, and natural reserves that give the city its scenic beauty  are disappearing at an alarming rate.

Fresh findings show widespread encroachment on these protected areas in some of the capital’s most exclusive districts, including Guzape, Maitama, Wuse, Katampe, Kado, and the Central Business District.

Many of the spaces, originally marked for recreation, conservation, and environmental balance under the 1979 Abuja Master Plan, are now being converted into residential buildings, commercial outlets, and other developments.

Experts warn that these violations extend beyond green spaces. Waterways, drainage channels, and power line corridors are also being obstructed, raising the risk of flooding, health hazards, and infrastructural breakdowns.

“This is a disaster in waiting,” an urban planner told reporters. “Green areas exist to protect the environment, prevent flooding, and keep the city livable. Ignoring the master plan will put residents at risk.”

Concerned residents have called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to enforce the Abuja Master Plan, stop illegal constructions, and restore affected areas before irreversible damage is done.

Source: Daily Trust

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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency had earlier predicted intensified seasonal rainfall, raising concerns about flooding, particularly in riverine communities. Though the Federal Ministry of Water Resources has denied the release of water from the dam, affected states say they are not taking any chances.

In Benue State, the Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has intensified flood sensitisation campaigns across the state. According to SEMA’s Information Officer, Tema Ager, the state is acting on high alert despite confirmation from the Minister of Water Resources, Prof. Joseph Utsev, that there has been no release from Lagdo Dam.

“We have no official report of water release from Cameroon, but we are not waiting to be taken by surprise,” Ager said, adding that awareness jingles have already been rolled out across local radio stations to alert residents.

In Edo State, the Executive Director of the State Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency, Ahmed Momoh, said the government has taken preemptive steps to inspect erosion-prone areas in the Edo North axis. He confirmed that while the state has not received any formal notification of water discharge, preparations are underway to manage any spillover effects.

“We remain on standby. Our strategic inspection of gully erosion sites is part of our proactive approach to limit environmental degradation,” Momoh said.

Similarly, in Bayelsa State—which bore the brunt of devastating floods in 2012 and 2022—the Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control confirmed it is on standby. The head of the agency, Walson Omusu, said while there has been no official alert, the state is prepared. He noted that water channels in Yenagoa and other vulnerable areas have already been cleared to reduce the impact of any flooding.

“We are always ready. Even without official notice, our systems are in place,” Omusu stated.

Meanwhile, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has begun distributing relief materials to flood-affected communities in Bayelsa. During a visit to Otuasega and Oruma, NDDC’s Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said the gesture aligns with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and demonstrates the Commission’s commitment to the region’s well-being.

Represented by Mrs. Chioma Nwakwe, the Deputy Director of Education, Health, and Social Services, Ogbuku noted that the support included school furniture, educational tablets, and household relief items. He said the initiative was carried out in partnership with the Ednest Egerue Foundation.

Foundation founder Susan Ibiama commended the NDDC’s efforts, describing the collaboration as a timely intervention for communities grappling with economic loss due to floods.

Community representatives, including Mr. Innocent Abbey of Otuasega and Mr. Akaribo Lamanya of Ngbiama-Oruma, expressed gratitude, pledging to ensure fair distribution of the materials.

As flood season deepens and with rainfall intensifying, state governments and agencies are urging residents in high-risk areas to remain vigilant and adhere to safety advisories.

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Acting Director General of FEMD, Engr. Abdulrahman Mohammed, explained that water levels in the area are rising fast. He said the road is likely to flood soon.

“This road will be flooded. Closing it now is a step to save lives and property,” he said.

He asked residents to be patient and use other routes for now. The department had been monitoring the water level since June before deciding to act.

Mohammed also warned motorists not to drive into flooded roads. “Wait for the water to go down before driving through,” he advised.

Residents can report emergencies by calling the toll-free number 112.

The closed slip road connects Goodluck Jonathan Expressway with Ring Road 2. This area has a history of flooding. In 2019, Mr. Tony Okecheme, Director of Finance at the FCT High Court, died in a flash flood at this same location.

Officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), including the Head of Abuja Operations, Mr. Zakari Abubakar, and representatives from the Department of Development Control, were present during the closure.

FEMD urged all residents to stay alert and follow safety guidelines during the rainy season.

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