Trademore Estate in Umuahia, Abia State, was envisioned as an affordable housing solution for low-income earners, particularly civil servants. However, the dream of comfortable living has been overshadowed by numerous challenges that have made life unbearable for its residents. This investigative article delves into the myriad hardships faced by the inhabitants of Trademore Estate, uncovering the root causes and exploring possible solutions.
Trademore Estate was established through a partnership between former governor Sen. T. A. Orji and Trademore Holdings Ltd. Located at Ubani Ibeku along the Umuahia-Uzuakoli road, the estate spans a vast expanse of land and accommodates hundreds of buildings. Marketed as an affordable option for low-income earners, the estate allowed civil servants to acquire properties through mortgage arrangements.
However, Trademore Estate’s reputation has been tarnished by controversy and hardship. In 2020, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) attempted to mark and seal the estate, alleging that they were linked to the former governor’s corruption investigations. A court order halted this action, but the stigma remained. In 2021, assailants attacked and burned the police station attached to the estate, causing injuries to officers and highlighting the area’s security vulnerabilities.
Since its inception, Trademore Estate has been beset by numerous issues, severely affecting the quality of life for its residents. These include:
– Infrastructure Problems: The estate suffers from perennial flooding, which destroys properties and makes roads impassable. Residents struggle with mobility due to the poor condition of the roads. One resident, Chinedu, lamented, “The flooding has been a nightmare. Every rainy season, my home becomes a swimming pool, and we lose so much items in the house. I have lost my electronics due to the floods and my sofa has gone bad because of it.”
– Lack of Basic Amenities: Access to clean and drinkable water is a significant problem. Residents often have to source water from outside the estate. Ngozi, another resident, shared, “We have to fetch water from outside the estate sometimes because the water supply here is unreliable. It’s a daily struggle.” Additionally, the power supply is erratic, and telecom networks are poor, making it difficult to communicate effectively with phones.
– Security Concerns: The estate has insufficient security personnel, leading to frequent incidents of crime and unrest. The burning of the police station in 2021 exemplifies the dire security situation. Residents live in constant fear of wild animals like snakes due to the surrounding bushes. With the presence of a military checkpoint just before the estate, residents are a little confident of help to come their way in the case of serious incident.
– Environmental Issues: Overgrown bushes around homes and the presence of wild animals pose significant threats to the safety and well-being of residents. Emmanuel, a resident, expressed frustration: “The estate management doesn’t respond to our complaints unless we pressure them. It’s very frustrating.”
– Management and Admin: The estate’s management has been criticized for its lackadaisical approach and failure to fulfill promises. There is a notable absence of accountability, resulting in poor living conditions. Khan, a resident, recounted, “After I was assigned a house, it took a year and intervention from the Nigerian police before my house was rehabilitated. The management only acts when you harass them.”
The estate’s difficulties can be traced back to its origins during Sen. T. A. Orji’s administration. Successive governments have neglected the welfare of the residents, failing to provide necessary infrastructure and basic amenities. This neglect has been compounded by the estate management’s lack of accountability. Despite the residents paying their mortgage fees diligently, they continue to suffer from poor living conditions.
Despite the challenges, the residents of Trademore Estate have taken proactive steps to address their situation. They have formed various associations, such as the Neighborhood Watch and the Trademore Landlord and Tenants Association. These groups aim to support residents and advocate for improvements in the estate.
The residents’ collective efforts have yielded some success. Persistent pressure and mini protests have compelled the management to address certain issues. For instance, an alternative power source was established to pump water, reducing reliance on the unreliable national grid. However, many challenges remain unresolved.
Government officials have been largely silent on the estate’s issues, often avoiding the topic altogether. During the 2023 campaign, many political candidates visited Trademore Estate, promising swift action if elected. The Labour Party candidate, now the incumbent governor, criticized the state of the estate and pledged immediate improvements. However, a year into his tenure, no significant changes have been made. The residents feel abandoned and forgotten by the authorities.
Recently, the government revoked the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for the Trademore Event Center in Umuahia township, owned by the estate’s developer. This move was applauded by a House of Representatives member, who called for the recovery of more properties linked to individuals from past governments. Yet, this action has done little to alleviate the suffering of Trademore Estate’s residents.
When compared to other estates in Umuahia and Abia State, Trademore Estate’s neglect becomes glaringly apparent. The World Bank Estate, while not perfect, boasts good road networks and consistent power supply. Ehimmiri Housing Estate and Agbama Housing Estate also fare better, with thriving commercial activities due to their well-planned environments. In stark contrast, Trademore Estate’s poor planning and lack of amenities stifle both residential comfort and economic potential.
Without intervention, the estate’s conditions are likely to deteriorate further. However, with sustained pressure from residents and potential governmental action, there is hope for improvement.
Trademore Estate, once envisioned as a beacon of affordable housing for low-income earners, now stands as a testament to neglect and hardship. The residents’ resilience and efforts to improve their living conditions are commendable, but they need substantial support from the government and the estate management. Addressing these issues is crucial for ameliorating the hardship of the residents of Trademore Estate and transform the estate into the thriving community it was meant to be. It is high time the authorities and stakeholders took decisive action to alleviate the suffering of the residents and fulfill the estate’s original promise.
