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.

Urban planning experts have warned that increasing violations of planning permit regulations are undermining orderly physical development across Nigeria, contributing to building collapses, flooding, environmental degradation, and significant economic losses. They say the growing trend of commencing construction without obtaining statutory approvals is weakening the country’s urban planning framework and exposing communities to avoidable risks.

According to industry stakeholders, many developers and property owners continue to adopt a “build first, regularise later” approach, largely due to lengthy approval processes, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and the high cost of obtaining planning permits. Experts argue that while these challenges exist, bypassing planning regulations compromises public safety and sustainable urban growth.

Professionals in the built environment noted that planning approvals are essential because they ensure developments comply with approved land use, structural standards, environmental requirements, and safety regulations before construction begins. They stressed that proper supervision by planning authorities throughout the construction process significantly reduces the risk of structural failures and other hazards.

Recent enforcement actions by several state governments, particularly in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory, have targeted illegal developments through building seals, demolitions, permit regularisation programmes, and digital approval systems. Authorities believe these measures will improve compliance while promoting safer and more organised urban development.

Experts have also recommended the adoption of fully digital planning permit systems, transparent approval charges, public awareness campaigns, and stronger enforcement to encourage voluntary compliance. They believe technology-driven approval processes can reduce delays, minimise corruption, and make regulatory compliance more accessible for developers and homeowners.

Stakeholders maintain that strengthening planning permit compliance is critical to protecting lives and property, improving infrastructure delivery, and supporting sustainable housing and real estate development across Nigeria’s rapidly growing cities.

The post Planning Permit Violations Fuel Unsafe Urban Development, Experts Warn appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, has urged the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) to intensify its engagement with the National Assembly in pursuing constitutional amendments that would strengthen physical planning and regional development across Nigeria. He said legislative reforms are necessary to improve coordinated planning and support balanced national development.

Speaking during a meeting with the leadership of the NITP in Abuja, the minister advised the institute to advocate for the transfer of town planning from the residual legislative list to the concurrent legislative list. According to him, such a constitutional amendment would provide a stronger legal framework for effective physical planning and regional development across the country.

Momoh also responded to the institute’s request for increased recruitment of professional town planners into the federal civil service. He explained that employment decisions fall under the responsibility of the Federal Civil Service Commission but directed the ministry’s Permanent Secretary to formally document the manpower needs and forward them to the appropriate authorities for consideration during future recruitment exercises.

The minister further encouraged town planning consultants to register with relevant federal agencies to improve their eligibility for consultancy opportunities. He also disclosed that the Ministry of Regional Development has submitted four strategic policy frameworks to the Federal Executive Council, focusing on spatial equity, regional economic transformation, infrastructure connectivity, and human capital development. He noted that professional town planners would play a key role in implementing these policies once approved.

Earlier, NITP President, Dr. Ogbonna Chime, called for stronger collaboration between the institute and the ministry. He advocated the establishment of a dedicated town planning department within the ministry, increased recruitment of qualified town planners, and greater involvement of professionals in preparing and implementing regional development plans across Nigeria.

Stakeholders believe the proposed constitutional amendment could strengthen urban planning, improve land use management, and support more sustainable infrastructure and housing development across the country.

The post Minister Urges NITP to Pursue Constitutional Amendment for Better Physical Planning appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON) has said that Nigeria can significantly reduce insecurity if government and stakeholders adopt smarter, technology-driven land management systems nationwide.

Speaking at the board’s 2025 Annual Valuers Assembly in Lagos with the theme, “50 Years of Regulatory Excellence: Golden Legacies and Brighter Tomorrow,” former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), said that poor planning, unchecked slum expansion, and weak land administration have contributed to urban crime and instability.

Buratai noted that many Nigerian cities are still characterised by unplanned settlements that lack roads, drainage systems, recreational spaces, schools, and essential public infrastructure—conditions that fuel insecurity.

He said liveable, organised urban environments naturally deter criminal activities because they promote healthier living conditions and stronger community structures.

According to him, estate surveyors and valuers are central to tackling the problem because they help governments and communities design, regulate, and maintain orderly land-use systems.

“Government cannot deliver safe and liveable cities without the input of estate surveyors and valuers. When communities are properly laid out—with roads, pavements, schools, markets, hospitals, recreation centres—people live better and crime reduces,” he said.

The Acting Chairman of ESVARBON, Prof. Terzungwe Dugeri, said that regulating the profession has become even more critical in a globalised, tech-driven world.

He warned that as the economy transforms, surveyors are frequently pressured to compromise standards, making ethical regulation essential.

He stressed that the board is adopting digital tools, virtual platforms, and modern technologies to strengthen monitoring, registration, and quality control.

“Technology has changed our practice. We must embrace it while upholding the highest ethical standards. All eyes are on estate surveyors and valuers,” he said.

Also speaking, the Registrar of ESVARBON, Janet Shehu, emphasised that practitioners must fully embrace digital transformation, including artificial intelligence, to remain relevant and deliver accurate, transparent services.
She said the board expects strict adherence to ethical codes as it works to modernise the profession and support national development.

The post Improved Land Management Key to Reducing Insecurity — ESVARBON appeared first on Housing TV Africa.