In a bold move to restore Abuja to its original master plan, the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, AMMC, has ordered the demolition of 24 two-storey buildings that were illegally constructed on a waterway in Guzape District. The announcement was made by AMMC Coordinator, Chief Felix Obuah, during an inspection tour of various parts of Abuja, where he emphasized that the affected buildings were developed without necessary approvals.
Chief Obuah described the construction as a flagrant violation of planning regulations and vowed that the structures would be removed to serve as a deterrent to others. “We have mobilised equipment, materials, and machines on-site. These illegal buildings erected without approval will go down,” he said, adding that any other building without proper approval, especially those constructed on waterways or road corridors, will be demolished.
The council’s decision is a significant step towards tackling the issue of unapproved developments in the city. Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, explained that the developer had originally been allocated a plot near the Federal Housing Authority Estate in the area, but after part of the land was affected by the proposed S20 road project, additional land was allocated as compensation. However, this compensation did not give the developer the right to build without obtaining proper approval.
The infractions were discovered two weeks ago during a routine inspection, which revealed that construction was ongoing in a valley area – an unacceptable practice under FCTA regulations. Chairman of the FCT Building Contravention Taskforce, Mr Gabriel Musa, revealed that while only 18 buildings were approved, the developer constructed 42, more than double the permitted number.
In response, the developer, Kadiri Obaidi, admitted the infractions and accepted responsibility, attributing some of the unauthorised development to subscribers. “We have approval for the estate, but many infractions occurred – mostly by our subscribers, for whom we are responsible,” he said, acknowledging the violations and expressing willingness to pull down the illegal structures themselves within two weeks to salvage some of the materials.
The council granted the developer’s request on the condition that all unauthorised structures are removed at no cost to the government. With this move, the AMMC is sending a strong message that it will no longer tolerate negligence or sabotage, and that those found complicit in the approval or oversight of illegal structures will face disciplinary action. As Chief Obuah emphasized, “It is no longer business as usual; we are committed to restoring Abuja to its original master plan.”
