June 23, 2023
Trademore Estate, Lugbe axis in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
It was the day an unprecedented flood hit this estate.
The residents wondered why. This is because the Estate wasn’t expecting such flood to hit them and even hit them so hard.
The estate was well fortified and even had a canal that leads water out. So why will this particular rainfall cause such havoc?
If you don’t know the story from the beginning, let’s do a recap.
June 23, 2023 residents of Trademore, second gate estate in Abuja were thrown into a dilemma following the heavy down pour in the federal capital territory.
Over a hundred families were affected by this flash flood.
Water surged into homes and businesses, forcing the residents to abandon their belongings and scamper for safety.
This is the fifth flood incident in the estate since 2014 and, according to some residents, the worst of them all.
Now that was the day of the flooding.
So it’s now like 3 weeks after the flood. Space.com was in Abuja, visited Trademore Estate and learnt that there was more to the flood. The flood came from somewhere!
We spoke to some residents who recounted their experiences and loss.
There was still more to this flooding than meets the eye. When this incident happened, The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors opined that the government should not have approved the location of the building since it is at the top of the water. But this wasn’t the feedback we got.
A resident who spoke anonymously said Trademore Estate wasn’t flood-prone. The flooding came from Galadimawa and Lokogoma.
We also spoke to another man. He’s part of the joint task force of trademore Estate. He also reiterated the fact that the water was coming from Lokogoma.
Then we met the chairman of Trademore Estate, phase 2, Mrs. Stella Okwute. Her points were pinned these facts:
- Trademore Estate Is Not Up For Demolition.
- Trademore Estate Is Not A Flood-Prone Area.
ECONOTES
WHAT TO DO DURING A FLOOD
- Don’t panic.
- Know your evacuation zone, know your evacuation routes and plan where you will go.
- Prepare a small bag with essentials.
- Tune in to local media for flood watches and warnings.
- Heed warnings from officials (Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET) and evacuate when orders are given.
- Have battery-operated flashlights, radios and televisions in working condition.
- Shut off water service, gas service and electricity to your home.
- Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
- Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be quickly swept away.
- Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.
- One foot of water will float many vehicles.
- Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUV’s) and pick-up trucks.
- Avoid camping or parking along streams, rivers, creeks, or other areas prone to flooding during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood rapidly and with little warning.
In the meantime, Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) and the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) to stop the planned demolition of Trademore Estate in Lugbe, Abuja.
The agencies had recently resolved to demolish structures erected within Trademore Estate after flood from a heavy rainfall ravaged the estate last month.
The judge, Zubairu Mohammed, who gave the order, granted the developer of the estate, Trademore International Holding Nigeria Limited, an order to maintain status quo pending determination of the motion by the court.
The judge also ordered that the motion on notice and writ of summons be served on the defendants.
Mohammed gave the order after hearing the ex-parte application argued by Benson Igbanoi, leading Vivian Oluchi Uche and holding the brief of the plaintiff’s counsel, Mike Ozekhome, SAN.
Ozekhome had, on behalf of the estate, filed the suit against the government agencies to stop the planned demolition.
The case was adjourned till 22 September for hearing of the motion on notice.
Till then, residents have a place to rebuild and recover from losses.
Full video episode of space.com on Trademore Estate Flood – The Inside Story will show on:
- www.ln247.news
- LN247 UHF 36 LAGOS
- LN247 UHF 33 ABUJA
- LN247 on Free-to-air (Strong Decoder)
Thursday – 5:30pm
Sunday – 2:30pm
