Residents of the Trademore estate in the Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja on Monday took to the streets to protest the planned demolition of buildings.
They carried placards with different messages, calling on the government to improve the waterways in order to tackle the persistent flooding in the area instead of demolishing buildings.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had last week declared the estate a disaster area in the wake of massive floodings on June 23, 2023 which left residents trapped and houses submerged.
Officials of the FCTA said that the buildings on the waterways in the estate and other areas in Abuja will be demolished.
The FCTA in a statement signed by its executive secretary, Shehu Ahmed on Sunday, said some structures are preventing water from flowing freely through its natural course, hence, the flooding in some parts of the city.
“People are clamouring that we act quickly and take tough decisions to save lives, and this is what we must do. We cannot act as though we don’t see this man-made problem caused by those who violate the Abuja master plan,” Ahmed said.
“Buildings in Trademore Estate had been severely marked for demolition. Warnings have been given year after year but the occupants of the estate keep risking their lives and those of others.
“By declaring Trademore a disaster zone, we have told the residents there to evacuate. The area is in a low-line zone which is not safe. Flooding can come at any time.
“They know this and have been experiencing it over the years,” the FCTA executive secretary stressed.
Ahmed who also doubles as the chairman of the special ministerial task force team on flood mitigation said a police station alongside other buildings will be demolished.
“We have the police station in Trademore that will be demolished. It will go alongside other buildings.
“We have engaged the FCT police command and have provided a suitable place for them to operate from and fight crime.”
According to Ahmed, the estate did not have FCDA approved building plan while adding that the area which has experienced repeated flooding can best be left as green areas and not residential.
He said further that the estate was just one of the areas in focus, noting that other areas in the FCT with structures built on flood plains would be demolished.
