On Monday, the Federal Capital Development Authority started demolishing houses in Trademore Estate, Lugbe, Abuja, after declaring the area a disaster zone. 

The director-general of the FCT Emergency Management Agency, Abbas Idriss, said the area was declared a disaster zone due to persistent flooding of the estate, putting lives and properties at risk. 

About 2000 houses in the estate are set to be demolished by the FCDA. The demolition would displace about 40,000 people.

The president of the Trademore Residents Association, Adewale Adenaike, opposed the illegal status placed on the estate by the FCDA and suggested that alternative solutions be explored.

 “We have been reliably informed that the authorities are coming tomorrow (today) to demolish 2000 houses and displace over 40,000 Nigerians living in the area. 

“They have described this place as an illegal settlement, but during the last elections, we had three polling units here. So, they can come to collect our votes and request payment for electricity bills, but we are illegal,” Mr Adenaike said.

Stating that prominent Nigerians reside there, he recalled that former Vice President Namadi Sambo commissioned a section of the estate years ago.

“Currently, 99 per cent of houses in this area are financed by Federal Mortgage Bank, which is owned by the federal government, and the payments are ongoing. So, they financed an illegal settlement,” he added.

The executive secretary of the FCDA, Shehu Ahmed, stated on Sunday that the FCDA would demolish all structures blocking natural waterways in the FCT. 

“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,” said Mr Shehu.

Last Friday, many hours of rain led to severe flooding at Trademore Estate Phase 2. Vehicles and houses were submerged in the flood, which has been a usual occurrence in the estate during the rainy season.