The residents of Trademore Estate in the Lugbe area of Abuja have petitioned Olusade Adesola, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), expressing their concerns about the proposed demolition of over 60 houses within the residential estate.
In the petition, which was signed by Mike Ozekhome (SAN), the estate’s lawyer, the residents strongly denied the claim that the estate lacked approval for its development plan. According to Ozekhome, the estate was established in 2007, and until recently, there had been no instances of flooding.
“Our client, Trademore Estate, respectfully urges you to utilize your esteemed position to take into account the distressing situation and hardships faced by the innocent residents of our client’s estate. We implore you to intervene promptly in order to safeguard lives and properties by halting any further demolitions of residents’ homes,” stated Ozekhome.
On Monday, the residents took a stand against the impending demolition by closing their gates in protest against officials from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) who were responsible for the planned demolition.
This action follows the recent declaration of the estate as a disaster zone due to flash floods that submerged houses and vehicles within the estate. Such incidents are known to occur annually during the peak of the rainy season.
The Permanent Secretary of the FCTA had declared the Trademore area a disaster zone that “needs immediate action to remedy further damages and loss of lives and properties”.
See copies of the petition:
