By Philip Yatai
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished a concrete water duct, said to have been illegally constructed in a waterway designated as a green area in Utako, Abuja.
A concrete water duct is the construction of a shallow concrete boxlike channel in a waterway, for the purpose of building a structure on top of it.
Chief Felix Obuah, the Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), supervised the demolition along with other directors and head of agencies under the council in Abuja on Thursday.
Obuah explained that the green area, located behind the former Tauba Hotel, Plot 1001, Ibrahim Tahir Lane, Utako, was designated as Park 293 in the Abuja Master Plan.
“Fortnight ago, I promised that every illegal structure going on in Abuja would go down.
“I am here again today to see that we have mobilized equipment and personnel to make sure that the illegal structure going on in this area in Utako, in the waterway is demolished.
“We have mobilised machinery and personnel. Just like I promised, the whole thing is going down.
“What we are doing is to make sure that we clean up the drains and the waterways to make sure there is no flood around this area,” he said.
He explained that the move was to rid the city of land grabbers and illegal construction of structures in waterways in Abuja.
He said that the alleged culprit had been identified, but on the run, adding that the security agencies were on his trail to bring the person to justice.
The coordinator added that after reclaiming the area from the land grabber, the Department of Parks and Recreation would restore the green area to its original form.
“We are going to clean up the area and restore it to its original form to allow water to run freely and in the long run, prevent flooding
“The essence of demolishing the illegal structure was to open up the channel so that we don’t have buildings or structures on our waterways.
“What matters most is protection of lives and properties from flood disasters that may arise due the disruption of water flow with concrete structures,” Obuah said.
He added that the exercise would cover every area of the city, adding that every structure without approval would be demolished.
The Director, Parks and Recreation Department, FCTA, Mr Chidemelu Echee, said that the green area was designated as Park 293 in the Abuja Master Plan with a development plan for it.
Echee expressed dismay that certain individuals were cutting down trees and building concrete on waterways.
“It is unfortunate that some characters could contravene the law and alter the entire ecosystem.
“The waterway is a river that is alive and should not be tampered with “and if you do, then it is a disaster waiting to happen.”
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