Amnesty urges Wike to suspend Maitama demolition over flood risks

Amnesty International Nigeria has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to suspend all planned demolitions and review the allocation of a public utility corridor in Maitama, Abuja.

The rights group warned that converting Plot 5334 in Cadastral Zone A06 into a private residential estate will cause serious environmental hazards and threaten key underground drainage infrastructure built by Julius Berger Plc between 2012 and 2014.

Despite ongoing litigation and an alternative dispute resolution process before the FCT ADR Committee, the Department of Development Control issued a demolition notice on October 9 targeting protective boundary structures along the corridor.

Amnesty International said that interfering with the designated stormwater and sewage system could cause serious flooding across the district, endanger nearby residential areas, national security facilities, and its own national office.

The human rights organization in a statement urged the FCT Administration to commission an independent technical assessment before taking irreversible actions.

“The protection of Abuja’s critical infrastructure, public safety and the environment must take precedence over private development interests where these conflict”, Amnesty International.

The organisation demanded full disclosure of allocation records and planning approvals, urging the FCT minister to uphold due process while legal and technical reviews remain unresolved.