Residents of Trademore Estate in Lugbe, Abuja, earlier today staged a protest over the planned demolition of houses along waterways.
The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) had said it would demolish some buildings in the estate and other flood-prone areas in Abuja.
According to a video tweeted by Channels TV, the residents displayed placards bearing various inscriptions and called on FCDA to stop its planned demolition of structures in the estate.
”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.
”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 on 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,” Executive Secretary of FCDA, Malam Shehu Ahmed disclosed yesterday.
A police station in Trademore Estate would be demolished as well, Ahmed who doubles as the chairman of the Special Ministerial Task Team on Flood Mitigation, revealed.
”We have the police station in Trademore would 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,” he said.
The executive secretary pointed out 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.
He explained 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.
