The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has refuted media reports claiming two fatalities in the flooding at Trade More Estate, Lugbe. Viral social media videos alleged that two individuals were swept away by the floods.
However, FEMD Acting Director General, Mrs. Florence Dawon Wenegieme, confirmed after an on-site assessment that no lives were lost. “We did not receive any distress calls from Trade More. We saw the viral video and went there to conduct an assessment. Residents confirmed that no lives were lost,” Wenegieme stated. She noted that the FEMD had mobilized the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), FCT Fire Service, Department of Development Control, and Department of Engineering Services for the response.
Wenegieme highlighted that the submerged houses were among the 116 structures marked for demolition in 2023 when Trade More was declared a disaster zone. Legal action by the Trade More Residents Association has prevented the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) from proceeding with demolitions.
A primary school with about 500 students, staff, and management, also sitting on a water channel, was described as a “disaster waiting to happen.” Wenegieme noted that some structures previously demolished by the Department of Development Control had been rebuilt or renovated by the owners.
Mrs. Wenegieme urged residents of marked houses to relocate and called on the owner of Trade More to provide necessary infrastructure to prevent future floods. She emphasized the importance of using the emergency toll-free number 112 or 08057224574, 08188888766 in case of emergencies.
