Residents of Trademore Estate in Lugbe, Abuja are currently facing a dire situation as the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) has declared their beloved estate a disaster zone.
The declaration comes in the wake of devastating floods that wreaked havoc on the mega estate just last Friday.
In the aftermath, numerous properties and
livelihoods, estimated to be worth millions of naira, were tragically swept away, leaving many residents displaced and distraught.
The estate has unfortunately become a victim of recurring flooding, which has plagued the area on an annual basis. The gravity of the situation was further highlighted last year when the former Minister, concerned about the persistent floods, conducted an inspection and subsequently marked several houses for demolition.
However, due to various reasons, the demolition process remained incomplete, which may have contributed to the severity of this year’s flood.
Among the survivors is Emmanuel Ajoba, who narrowly escaped the clutches of the floodwaters that invaded his residence. Despite his fortunate escape, he has yet to summon the courage to return home and assess the extent of the damage inflicted upon his property. The entire community of Trademore Estate now lives under a cloud of uncertainty, as their fate hangs precariously in the balance.
On the 27th of June, the Federal Capital Territory Authority, in collaboration with the FCT Emergency Management Agency, embarked on a comprehensive tour of the estate. Their grim assessment of the situation led to the official declaration of Trademore Estate as a disaster zone.
Consequently, the agency issued an urgent advisory, urging residents to relocate promptly to mitigate any further loss of lives and properties.
However, the declaration has sparked discontent among the residents of the estate, who firmly place the blame on the FCTA’s permanent secretary for undervaluing their community. They believe that the authorities should rise to the occasion and fulfill their responsibilities by finding a lasting solution to the recurring flood problem. As one of the largest privately owned estates in the federal capital territory, boasting over two thousand housing units, Trademore Estate stands as a symbol of the residents’ dreams and aspirations.
The estate finds itself nestled amidst a vibrant neighborhood, surrounded by more than forty other estates. Despite the solidarity among neighboring communities, the threat of further calamity looms large.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has ominously predicted an impending onslaught of heavy rains in the coming days. If immediate and effective measures are not implemented, the implications for the residents of Trademore Estate could be catastrophic.
In this time of distress, the residents of Trademore Estate fervently hope for swift action and support from the relevant authorities. They appeal to the FCTA to rise to the occasion and collaborate with stakeholders to devise a comprehensive and sustainable solution to combat the recurring floods.
Their plea echoes with a sense of urgency, as the safety and well-being of the entire community depend on immediate action to avert further tragedy.
