Shehu Ahmed, the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), has revealed that buildings on waterways inside flood-ravaged Trademore Estate in Abuja would be demolished.
The demolition, he said, would affect other areas in FCT.
Ahmed made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, according to News Agency of Nigeria.
He 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.
”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,” he said.
A police station in Trademore Estate would be demolished as well, Ahmed whodoubles 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.
