By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently investigate alleged conversions of designated green areas, canals and drainage corridors in Abuja into private developments, warning that such activities could worsen flooding in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The call followed a petition received by the association from a concerned resident alleging that about 20 duplexes are being constructed on a designated green area in Maitama Extension.

According to HURIWA, the developers allegedly intend to convert a canal into an access road after discovering that5 the proposed estate has no proper access route.

HURIWA described the allegation as particularly troubling following recent flooding in parts of Abuja, arguing that interference with natural waterways and drainage corridors could increase the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall.

“Turning a natural water channel into a road or allowing construction to obstruct a designated drainage corridor could have devastating consequences during periods of heavy rainfall,” the association warned.

HURIWA urged the FCT Administration to disclose who allocated the land, the approved purpose of the parcel, who authorised the development and whether the project obtained the required planning and environmental approvals.

The association said any development found to have been constructed on protected green areas or drainage corridors should be halted pending investigation.

“These spaces are not empty lands waiting to be converted into luxury estates. They are part of the infrastructure that keeps Abuja alive,” HURIWA stated.

The organisation also recalled previous concerns it had raised over alleged encroachment on public lands, green spaces and areas reserved for public infrastructure in the capital.

It specifically cited allegations surrounding land in Wuye District that was reportedly designated for a district hospital but allegedly converted for private residential development.

HURIWA stressed that the allegations should be independently investigated and that sanctions should follow where violations are established.

The association also raised concerns over claims that politically exposed persons or individuals linked to influential political figures could be beneficiaries of disputed land allocations in the FCT.

However, HURIWA acknowledged that such claims remain unverified and said no individual should be condemned without evidence.

“Political influence must not become a shield against investigation or enforcement of planning regulations,” the association stated.

Recent floods raise concern

HURIWA said recent flooding in Abuja had added urgency to the issue, noting that floodwaters reportedly affected homes and roads in several parts of the capital.

The association acknowledged the FCT Administration’s position that flooding is not a new phenomenon and can also be linked to rapid urbanisation, inadequate drainage infrastructure, waste disposal and other factors.

However, it argued that previous flooding should not be used to justify any current development that could aggravate the problem.

“The critical question is whether government agencies are permitting developments that interfere with designated drainage channels, green buffers, canals and waterways,” HURIWA said.

It therefore called on the FCT Administration to make public the status of the alleged Maitama Extension development and investigate whether any canal or drainage channel in the area has been filled, narrowed, blocked or converted for private development.

HURIWA demands forensic review

The association also urged President Tinubu to order a comprehensive and independent review of land allocations and development approvals across the FCT, particularly those involving green areas, parks, gardens, drainage corridors, canals, waterways and sites reserved for public infrastructure.

It further called on the National Assembly to investigate alleged distortions of the Abuja Master Plan and their possible environmental consequences.

HURIWA warned that unchecked conversion of waterways and green areas could increase the severity of future flooding.

“Abuja cannot be planned on paper and destroyed on the ground,” the association stated.

It urged the President to treat protection of the Abuja Master Plan as a matter of public safety and environmental protection, while stressing that the capital should not become a casualty of unchecked real estate expansion, administrative negligence or alleged political influence.