By Nicholas Ojo
Trademore, an Abuja popular estate’s residents have on Monday protested against the planned demolition of structures in the estate by officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
The protesters who shot the estate gate were armed with placards bearing various inscriptions, called on Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to stop their planned demolition in the estate.
This comes days after the estate was declared a disaster zone, in light of flash floods which submerged houses and vehicles in the estate about a week ago, a recurring situation at the peak of the rainy season annually.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said more than 116 houses were submerged at the estate following a heavy downpour.
StarNews had reported the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Malam Shehu Ahmed on Sunday disclosed that the FCT Administration would demolish all structures on waterways across the nation’s capital, across the nation’s capital.
Malam Shehu who made this known while addressing journalists in Abuja said some structures were preventing water from flowing freely through its natural course which was responsible for flooding recorded in some parts of the city.
He said: “People are clamoring 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.
“Buildings in Trademore Estate had been severally 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”.
Açcording to the executive secretary, who is the chairman, Special Ministerial Task Team on Flood Mitigation, revealed that a Police station in Trademore would be demolished and other buildings.
He explained that Trademore Estate did not have FCDA Approved building plan and the continuously flooded areas can best be left as Green areas and not residential. Adding that the estate was just one of the areas in focus as other areas where structures were built on floodplains would experience the removal of illegal structures.
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