Residents in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria, have been facing devastating impacts of flooding for decades. Trademore Estate in Lugbe is one such community affected, with limited outlets for water drainage and multiple sources of drainage channeled into the estate.
In the early hours of Friday, June 23, 2023, heavy rainfall lasting about eight hours led to the loss of four lives and severe flooding in Trademore Estate and other areas of the FCT.
According to a source, over 26 vehicles were swept away by the floods, 166 houses in Trademore Estate were submerged, and a tarred road was completely washed away.
Trademore Estate has experienced repeated devastating floods since its
establishment, resulting in loss of lives and destruction of properties year after year.
NatureNews correspondent had previously spoken to the former Chairman of Trademore Estate, Mr. Uchechukwu Moses, about the estate’s preparedness for the rainy season and the challenges of flooding. He emphasized that there are various waterways directed into Trademore
Estate.
He however expressed his sadness and frustration over the lack of support from the government to address the ongoing flooding issue in the estate.
The chairman recalled that emergency management only showed up when the floods occurred.
“The flooding is not only from Trademore; it is coming from outside, and there are other factors where water has been diverted into Trademore. The government should redirect the water elsewhere,” he stated.
He also pointed out that the waterways into Trademore are narrow, even at the major expressway. The water has restricted passage and flows back into Trademore instead of having a free flow.
Speaking with NatureNews correspondent, the newly elected Chairman of the Trademore Estate Association, Mr. Adewale Osinaike, emphasized that the developer of the estate has fulfilled the internal requirements, but the government has yet to take the necessary actions to prevent future flooding.
“The government has always paid lip service to issues like this. It has been a recurring problem for us over the years,” he said.
Mr. Osinaike mentioned that whenever a flood incident occurs, government agencies such as FERMA, NEMA, and FCDA would make promises without taking any action.
“In fact, there was an incident when the Minister of State for FCT visited as well. They all come and make big promises, but talk is cheap, and at the end of the day, they don’t do anything,” he added.
NatureNews attempted to seek clarification from the government agencies responsible for emergency response but was unsuccessful.
