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Tag: Trademore Estate

  • FEMD gives update on flash flood at Trademore Estate

    FEMD gives update on flash flood at Trademore Estate

    The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD), says no life was lost to the Monday morning flash flood in Trademore Estate in Lugbe, Abuja.

    The acting Director-General (D-G) of FEMD, Mrs Florence Wenegieme, stated this while assessing the extent of the flash flood that submerged some of the houses up to window level.

    “There was no distress call from the residents of Trademore Estate. It was a passerby that saw the flooding and called us and there was no report of anybody missing.

    “I am here with some members of the residents’ association and none of them reported that somebody is missing, dead or that somebody was drawn.

    “If there is any, we have not received such a report,” Wenegieme said.

    Supporting FEMD’s position, a security man with Pento Security Guard, Mr Eborn Sunday, equally said: “I am not aware of anyone that was killed by the flash flood this morning.

    “We were on duty when the rain started around 7 a.m. Suddenly we saw the water level rising up and we started securing our belongings.

    “After that, we started helping people whose houses were being submerged to safety. The water flooded the houses towards the estate gate up to window level, but no life was lost.”

    The News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) reports that FEMD, along with officials from the National Emergency Management Agency, Department of Development Control, Department of Engineering Services, and Fire Service were at the scene to assess the situation.

    Wenegieme explained while speaking to journalists that the emergency officials were not supposed to be at the estate because it was declared a disaster zone in 2022 due to the recurring flooding in the area.

    Wenegieme said that the 2023 incident submerged almost all the houses in the estate.

    She equally said that her team was not supposed to be at the estate because the residents had dragged FCT Administration to court over plans to demolish all houses built on waterways.

    She said that about 116 houses were marked for demolition because they were built on waterways, but FCTA was restrained from removing the houses by a Court Injunction obtained by the residents.

    According to her, the houses that were submerged by the flash flood were part of the 116 houses marked for demolition for sitting on flood plain.

    “The injunction stopped FCTA from removing all obstruction along the waterway, which was part of the solution to the lingering challenge.

    “The residents were also advised to move out of the area, but they refused to move.

    “We are here again to advise them that they should move out of the location in their own interest,” she said.

    The acting D-G further said: “We have just discovered a school on the flood plain with students that could be up to 500, including their teachers, management and other non-academic staff.

    “Their lives are at stake.”

    She advised the school management to relocate the school to safer grounds for the sake of the children and the teachers, including the properties.

    “You all are not safe when there is flooding.

    “If there is a heavy downpour again, you never can tell what will happen and that is why we don’t want our children, the leaders of tomorrow, to remain here.

    “We are just here to advise you for now,” she said.

    She noted that the residents of the estate had mobilised their engineers who came up with an engineering solution that apparently did not solve the problem.

    She appealed to the residents to move and allow the government to put the necessary infrastructure in place.

    “But a situation where houses are still sitting on waterways and they are refusing to move, tell me how we will be able to solve the problem?

    “If the court injunction is removed, and we are given the opportunity to come and put things in place, the FCT Administration will come and put things in place,” she added.

    On the contrary, Mr Inemesit Udofot, Chairman, Trademore Estate Residents Association, Phase II, said that no house was sitting on a flood plain in the estate.

    Udofot claimed that the recurrent flooding in the estate was largely caused by the channelling of water into Trademore by the adjoining estates.

    According to him, demolition is not the way out.

  • Five things to do if you live in a flood-prone area

    Five things to do if you live in a flood-prone area

    The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has issued a warning that Nigeria is likely to experience severe flooding in 2023, as indicated by predictions from responsible agencies.

    During a recent experts’ technical training on climate disaster preparedness in Abuja, Ahmed emphasised the importance of acting upon the seasonal climate predictions and annual flood outlook released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

    The flooding about a week ago in Trademore Estate located in Abuja, has served as a wake-up call for residents to take preventive measures to mitigate the impact of floods and ensure their safety.

    In response to this urgent need, here are five essential steps that residents can follow to prevent flooding and protect their lives and properties:

    1. Proper Waste Disposal: Residents should prioritize proper waste disposal by utilizing designated trash cans and recycling bins. It is crucial to avoid throwing trash into drainage systems or water bodies, as this can obstruct the flow of water during heavy rains and worsen flooding.
    2. Maintain Drainage Systems: Regularly inspect and clean gutters, ditches, and drainages to remove any debris or blockages and minimise the risk of flooding.
    3. Rainwater Harvesting/Installation of Sump Pumps: Install rainwater harvesting systems to collect and store rainwater for future use. Additionally, residents in low-lying areas can install sump pumps, which help pump out excess water during flood situations.
    4. Secure Valuables: Safeguard important documents and valuable possessions by storing them in waterproof containers or placing them on high shelves.
    5. Create Emergency Plans: Keep track of weather forecasts and warnings issued by local authorities and develop an emergency plan with family members to establish evacuation routes and designated meeting points in case of flooding.
  • Cause of recurrent flood in Trademore estate revealed!

    Cause of recurrent flood in Trademore estate revealed!

    The Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Shehu Ahmed, has announced that the FCT Administration will embark on a demolition campaign targeting all structures built on waterways in the nation’s capital.

    The move comes after the cause of the recent flooding in certain parts of the city was traced back to these obstructive structures.

    Ahmed revealed in a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, that Trademore Estate had not obtained the FCDA’s approved building plan, raising concerns about construction regulations and compliance.

    He emphasised that to prevent future similar incidents, there is a need to comply with the Abuja Master Plan and preserve floodplains as green areas rather than residential zones.

    According to Ahmed, these “illegal” structures have been impeding the natural flow of water, exacerbating the flooding problems experienced in certain areas.

    He stated, “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.”

    According to the Executive Secretary, Trademore Estate is one such areas in Abuja where buildings have repeatedly been marked for demolition.

    Despite multiple warnings issued over the years, residents have continued to risk their lives and the lives of others by remaining in the estate.

    The FCDA has now declared Trademore Estate a disaster zone, urging residents to evacuate immediately.

    The area, situated in a low-lying zone, is prone to flooding, which can occur at any time. Ahmed stressed, “They know this and have been experiencing it over the years.”

    The FCDA also plans to remove illegal structures built on floodplains in various other locations in the city, as part of a comprehensive flood mitigation strategy which will alleviate the risk of flooding and protect the lives and properties of residents in the affected areas.

    The FCT Administration says it is committed to implementing measures that safeguard the well-being of all residents in the nation’s capital and urged residents in affected areas to cooperate with evacuation efforts and prioritise their safety.

  • Flooding: FCTA declares Trademore estate disaster area

    Flooding: FCTA declares Trademore estate disaster area

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has declared Trademore Estate, located at Lugbe area of the FCT, Abuja, a disaster area, following a flood that left the area in ruin on June  23.

    The Permanent Secretary of the FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, made the declaration on Tuesday during an assessment visit to the area.

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has said that more than 116 houses were submerged at the estate following a heavy downpour.

    “Having seen the extent of the flooding, we hereby declare the Trademore area a disaster zone that needs immediate action to remedy further damages and loss of lives and properties.

    “This is part of steps to address the incessant flooding at the Trademore Estate.

    “I want to assure residents that adequate steps will be taken to forestall further damages to properties and loss of lives to flooding at the Estate.”

    Adesola disclosed that a Taskforce on Flood Mitigation in the FCT, comprised of heads of relevant agencies of the FCT, would assess the situation and make recommendations for remedial actions.

    “The Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) who chairs the taskforce on flood mitigation in the FCT is here.

    “The Commissioner of Police and other officials of the FCT, particularly FEMA, Development Control and the Abuja Environmental Protection Board are all here.

    “They saw what we saw, and they are now ready to go and evolve solutions that will immediately address the situation,” he said.

    Adesola, who expressed shock at the level of flooding at the estate also decried development activities in flood prone areas with serious consequences to lives and properties.

    The Permanent Secretary also expressed sadness at the return of people to the affected properties, few days after the flooding disaster, in spite of the dangers of imminent future incidents.

    He vowed that the FCT Administration would not allow the situation to continue.

    “We were quite amazed at the level of flooding that occurred at Trademore. More particularly is the risk that people took to build on such a low-level plain.

    “While on the road, you will see that even the roof of some of the houses are below the road level, which ab initio made them vulnerable to flooding,” he said.

    He assured residents that the FCT Administration would do everything possible within its powers to contain the ugly situation.

    He reminded residents of NIMET predictions for more heavy rains.

    “This means that damages and casualties are imminent, and we have to prevent this,” he said.

    Adesola was accompanied by the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Mr Shehu Hadi; Director Development Control, Mr Mukhtar Galadima; FCT Commissioner of Police, Garba Haruna, and other senior officials of the FCTA.

  • Flood submerges 116 houses at Trademore Estate – FEMA

    Flood submerges 116 houses at Trademore Estate – FEMA

    The FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says 116 houses have been affected by flood at Trademore Estate, Lugbe, Abuja.

    Dr Abbas Idriss, the Director-General, FEMA, said this in a statement signed by Nkechi Isa, the Head, Public Affairs, FEMA, on Friday in Abuja.

    He said that 116 houses were submerged, but no life was lost, following a heavy downpour that started in the early hours of the day.

    Idriss said that the flood which was caused by infractions on the water channels, had made the Estate to be vulnerable to flooding.

    The FEMA boss dismissed social media reports alleging that a resident of the estate was missing as a result of the flood.

    He however appealed to residents whose houses were built on water channels to relocate.

    Idriss who said that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had predicted heavy flooding in the FCT this year, also advised residents living on flood-prone areas to relocate.

    He called on the residents to use the 112 Emergency toll-free number to report emergencies.