FCDA announces demolition of police station, buildings in Trademore Estate to combat flooding
FCDA announces demolition of police station, buildings in Trademore Estate to combat flooding
Due to the devastating floods in certain parts of Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has announced plans to demolish all structures built on waterways, particularly in Trademore Estate and throughout the city.
For years, buildings in Trademore Estate have been repeatedly marked for demolition, with occupants disregarding the warnings. The estate is located in a low-lying zone that has been deemed unsafe and declared a disaster area.
The FCDA’s Executive Secretary, Shehu Ahmed, stated that the demolition, set to commence soon, would target structures impeding the free flow of water and contributing to the flooding experienced in various parts of the city.
Recent weeks saw severe flooding in several areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), including estates around Lokogoma, Lugbe, and Kubwa. In Trademore Estate alone, over 116 buildings were submerged, resulting in the loss of two lives.
“People are demanding swift action and decisive measures to save lives, and that is precisely what we must do. We cannot ignore this man-made problem caused by those who violate the Abuja Master Plan,” emphasized the Executive Secretary.
Ahmed, who also chairs the Special Ministerial Task Team on Flood Mitigation, disclosed that, in addition to other structures, a police station in Trademore Estate would be demolished.
He reassured that a suitable location had been provided for the police to continue their operations and combat crime.
Highlighting the lack of an FCDA-approved building plan for Trademore Estate, Ahmed suggested that the continuously flooded areas should be preserved as green spaces rather than residential zones.
He further emphasized that Trademore Estate was just one of the areas under scrutiny, and structures erected on floodplains in other locations would also be targeted for the removal of illegal constructions.