Buildings and other illegal structures along Federal Capital Territory (FCT) waterways are soon to be demolished, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has said.

Areas where bulldozers will roar mostly are Lokogoma, Lugbe and Kubwa where floods caused huge damage to properties in recent weeks.

In Lokogoma, where one life was lost and over 116 buildings submerged, a police station in an estate Trademore) in the area, will be pulled down.

Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Shehu Ahmed, said the structures were responsible for the floods in parts of the FCT.

He said: “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.

“Buildings in Trademore Estate had been severally marked for demolition. Warnings have been given year- after year but the occupants of the estate keep risking their lives and those of others.

“By declaring Trademore a disaster zone, we have told the residents there to evacuate. The area is in 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.”

Ahmed, who is also the chairman of the Special Ministerial Task Team on Flood Mitigation, added: “There is a police station in Trademore that would be demolished. It will go alongside other buildings. We have engaged the FCT Police command and have provided a suitable place.”

Stating that the estate has no approved building plan, he said that as a “flood zone, it was better for it to be left as a green area.”

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Also, Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Olusade Adesola decried the repeated vandalism and theft of gully inlets, manhole covers and other flood containment infrastructure at major roads in Abuja.

Adesola spoke after a flood assessment tour of parts of the city at the weekend.

He lamented that the vandalism and theft of the items led to suboptimal performance of the drainage systems and consequent flooding of some of the city roads.

Adesola called on FCT residents to always report any unusual or suspicious activities to the relevant security agencies.

The Permanent Secretary said: “Earlier in the week, we undertook a visit to the flood sites of Lokogoma and Trademore, amongst others. The destruction caused by floods in those areas was really touching.

“But we knew that equally within the city, there are pockets of flash floods and flooding of some areas due to suboptimal performance of our drainages and we also knew that efforts were made to address these challenges.

“The manhole covers that were placed last year have been removed. They were not removed by ghosts but by people.

“We want to beckon to every citizen and our law enforcement agencies to support the efforts of the FCTA in protecting lives and properties through the provision of road infrastructure.”

He also cautioned members of the public not to dump refuse indiscriminately. (The Nation)

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