The planned demolition of the Trademore estate by the authorities of the Federal Capital Territory has been described as a lazy approach to the problem.
According to the Executive Director, Housing Development Advocacy Network, HDAN, Barr. Festus Adebayo the solution to the yearly flooding is not the pulling down of over 2,000 houses.
Adebayo also condemned the idea of declaring the area a disaster zone.
He, therefore, urged the FCT authorities to seek the help of experts and not just follow the part of simplicity by demolishing the houses.
He said, “The demolition of the entire estate as a result of the reported flooding is too simplistic and a lazy man’s approach to addressing a professional issue of this magnitude. “Demolishing 2,000 houses because of flooding is not and never the solution. The 2,000 houses are not on a stormwater pathway.
“Please let stormwater management experts review the situation and come up with solutions before we shift the blame on who granted the building permit. “
He further added that “From data gathered, some demolitions were done in the same area some years ago, can the Govt provide the current status of the location?
He also wants to know what would become of other estates around trademore estate.
“There are other Estates in the neighborhood that are equally flooded. Is there a plan to also demolish? Or there is an undertone reason for the rush to demolish instead of providing the necessary infrastructures that the public doesn’t know?
“Now there is a problem: what is the route to finding the best solution?
He said it has become common knowledge that residents of the estate have been living in fear as a result of the yearly flooding of the area.
On the way forward, Adebayo urged FCDA to liaise with the stakeholders to proffer solutions.
He said, “The solution should be how the FCDA authority will work with the owners of houses, and residents in Trademore.
“Our feeling is that FCDA can work harmoniously with the residents to find a lasting solution to that problem.”
He said further, “Until people are prosecuted for criminal negligence for failing as a government to provide the necessary infrastructure that is a government responsibility, we will continue to see and witness uncultured and reckless decisions.”
He stressed the importance of housing for all, saying “Even the world bank and UN recognize housing as a human right and the reason the world bank asks in the EIA process if people will be relocated due to a mega project.
“The first choice is to integrate the people into the project plan and not to relocate them because it is their natural abode, however, if you must relocate it must be well planned with almost zero loss.
“Because that is the right thing to do, but unfortunately, the opposite is being practiced in Nigeria where some people in authority recklessly make decisions that are not backed with proper assessments or technical and scientific facts.
“Failure of the Government to provide the needed infrastructures should not be a reason to put over 10,000 human beings into crisis; they have no power to mitigate.”
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