The Federal Capital Territory Administration on Friday concluded plans to demolish scores of residential buildings in Lokogoma District of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The exercise, which would affect some residential estates including a school, would be carried out in the next two weeks after the affected residents might have moved out of their homes.
The decision followed the perennial flooding in the area which had claimed about four lives and destroyed much property in the past two years.
On June 6, 2019, a downpour resulted in massive flooding of many houses in the district and led to the death of a boy.
A similar occurrence took place on July 17, 2017, causing the death of a retired police officer and his two children who were swept away in their Toyota Highlander SUV by flood.
The Federal Capital Development Authority which investigated the flooding discovered that it was caused by the erection of structures on the waterways by estate developers.
The report of a Ministerial Committee, which previously undertook an assessment of the incident found that the flooding was caused by the developers of some of the estates who diverted the natural course of River Kabusa and equally constricted the River Wumba within its environ.
The Director, Development Control,FCDA, Muktar Galadima, told newsmen on Friday that many buildings would be pulled down to address the flooding in the area.
Galadima said, “It was resolved that all development within the stream corridor should be removed, but I can’t be precise because I don’t have the record right now, I am in transit now.”
Our correspondent who visited the area shortly after a rainfall on Monday observed the flooding in parts of Lokogoma district indicating that the situation had not improved due to the obstruction of the natural waterways.
The muddy roads leading to the many estates in the area had also narrowed making it impossible for two vehicles to pass at the same time.
The FCT Administration had earlier said that it was carrying out some emergency palliative work in the affected locations, adding that contract for the permanent solution was being processed for award under the 2019 FCT budget.
Meanwhile, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Chinyeaka Ohaa, has directed residents whose buildings are along the waterways and road corridors, to vacate the areas.
Speaking during an unscheduled visit to Ipet-5 Estate in Lokogoma District on Wednesday, Ohaa said that after the two weeks ultimatum, the FCTA would demolish all structures along the waterways and road corridors.
