TheCable

The federal capital territory administration (FCTA) has declared trademore estate in the Lugbe area of Abuja, a disaster area.

This follows the flooding of the estate on June 23, a situation that left residents trapped and houses submerged.

When an area is declared a disaster area, it means it is the scene of an emergency caused primarily by nature. It then qualifies to receive certain types of government aid.

Speaking during an assessment of the area on Tuesday, Olusade Adesola, FCTA permanent secretary, said the declaration was made after the extent of the flooding was ascertained.

He added that the area requires immediate action to forestall further damage to property and loss of lives.

“This is part of steps to address the incessant flooding at the trademore estate,” NAN quoted Adesola as saying.

“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 said a taskforce on flood mitigation in the FCT, comprising heads of relevant agencies, would assess the situation and make recommendations.

“The executive secretary of the federal capital development authority (FCDA) who chairs the taskforce on flood mitigation in the FCT is here,” he said.

“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.”

The permanent secretary also expressed sadness at the return of people to the affected properties in spite of imminent danger or a recurrence.