Florence Wenegieme, Acting Director General, Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD), says the houses submerged by the floods at Trademore Estate in the Lugbe Area of Abuja, on Monday, are part of the 116 structures already marked for demolition in 2023 when the area was declared a disaster zone.

Speaking after an assessment of the affected areas after Monday’s downpour, Wenegieme said her team was not supposed to be at the estate.

She stated the residents resisted FCTA’s move to pull down prevented the structures responsible for the flood and even instituted court action against the agency.

“The injunction stopped FCTA from removing all obstruction along the waterway, which was part of the solution to the lingering challenge.”

“The residents were also advised to move out of the area, but they refused to move. We are here again to advise them that they should move out of the location in their own interest,” she said.

She lamented that a primary school with about 500 pupils, management, and staff is also sitting on the water channel in the estate, describing it as a disaster waiting to happen.

“We have just discovered a school on the flood plain with students that could be up to 500, including their teachers, management and other non-academic staff. Their lives are at stake,” she said

The acting DG advised the school management to relocate the school to safer grounds for the sake of the children and the teachers, including the properties.

“You all are not safe when there is flooding. If there is a heavy downpour again, you never can tell what will happen and that is why we don’t want our children, the leaders of tomorrow, to remain here. We are just here to advise you for now,” she said.