Following a flood on June 23 that left the area in ruins, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has declared Trademore Estate, in the Lugbe neighbourhood of the FCT, Abuja, a disaster area.
The statement was made on Tuesday during an assessment visit to the region by Mr. Olusade Adesola, the FCTA’s Permanent Secretary.
Following a significant downpour, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reported that over 116 homes at the estate were submerged.
We officially proclaim the Trademore area a disaster zone in need of immediate action to prevent more damages, loss of lives, and destruction of property after observing the extent of the flooding.
“This is part of steps to address the incessant flooding at the Trademore Estate.
“I want to assure residents that adequate steps will be taken to forestall further damages to properties and loss of lives to flooding at the Estate.”
Adesola disclosed that a Taskforce on Flood Mitigation in the FCT, comprised of heads of relevant agencies of the FCT, would assess the situation and make recommendations for remedial actions.
“The Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) who chairs the taskforce on flood mitigation in the FCT is here.
“The Commissioner of Police and other officials of the FCT, particularly FEMA, Development Control and the Abuja Environmental Protection Board are all here.
“They saw what we saw, and they are now ready to go and evolve solutions that will immediately address the situation,” he said.
Adesola, who expressed shock at the level of flooding at the estate also decried development activities in flood prone areas with serious consequences to lives and properties.
The Permanent Secretary also expressed sadness at the return of people to the affected properties, few days after the flooding disaster, in spite of the dangers of imminent future incidents.
He vowed that the FCT Administration would not allow the situation to continue.
“We were quite amazed at the level of flooding that occurred at Trademore. More particularly is the risk that people took to build on such a low-level plain.
“While on the road, you will see that even the roof of some of the houses are below the road level, which ab initio made them vulnerable to flooding,” he said.
He assured residents that the FCT Administration would do everything possible within its powers to contain the ugly situation.
He reminded residents of NIMET predictions for more heavy rains.
“This means that damages and casualties are imminent, and we have to prevent this,” he said.
NAN reports that Adesola was accompanied by the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Mr Shehu Hadi; Director Development Control, Mr Mukhtar Galadima; FCT Commissioner of Police, Garba Haruna, and other senior officials of the FCTA. (NAN)
