residents decry flooding abandoned drainage project Lagos estate
Residents of Ajao Estate in Lagos have raised alarm over worsening flooding conditions linked to what they describe as an abandoned drainage project, warning that the situation has reached a crisis point with homes, roads, and livelihoods increasingly under threat.
The complaints, centred around Fowora Close within the estate, highlight years of neglect and failed intervention, as residents say repeated appeals to authorities have yielded little progress. The situation has become particularly severe during rainfall, when entire sections of the area are submerged under water.
The issue of residents decry flooding, abandoned drainage project in Lagos estate is not new. According to community leaders, the flooding problem dates back to 2007 but has intensified over the years due to rapid urban development and poor drainage planning.
Chairman of the Ajao Estate East Community Development Association, Olusegun Fowora, said the flooding has become a recurring nightmare for residents, with water from surrounding streets channelled into the already vulnerable area,, residents decry flooding abandoned drainage project Lagos estate.
“We have battled flooding for years. Whenever it rains, the entire area is submerged, sometimes up to two feet,” he said, describing how floodwater flows from nearby streets into Fowora Close.
The crisis escalated further after what residents describe as a failed government intervention. In January 2025, a contractor was reportedly deployed by the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources to construct drainage systems. However, residents allege that the project was poorly executed and later abandoned.
The residents decry flooding, abandoned drainage project in Lagos estate after contractors excavated sections of the area but constructed drainage on only one side, leaving the most affected zones exposed. According to residents, the work also damaged driveways and access roads, worsening mobility challenges within the estate.
Today, the consequences are visible. A visit to the community reveals partially submerged buildings, abandoned workshops, and trenches that have rendered some homes inaccessible. Vehicles are now parked on streets rather than inside compounds due to damaged access points, exposing them to theft and vandalism.
One resident, Wale Akintola, said the flooding has not only disrupted daily life but also created new security risks, residents decry flooding abandoned drainage project Lagos estate.
“Thieves now remove batteries and other parts because cars are left outside,” he said, underscoring how infrastructure failure can trigger secondary problems such as crime.
The residents decry flooding, abandoned drainage project in Lagos estate also reflects a broader urban challenge facing Lagos, a low-lying coastal city that is naturally prone to flooding. Experts have long pointed to a combination of factors including poor drainage systems, rapid construction, and blockage of waterways as key drivers of flooding across the state.
https://ogelenews.ng/residents-decry-flooding-lagos-drainage-project
In Ajao Estate, residents say these systemic issues have been compounded by neglect. Despite writing to multiple government agencies, including the Ministry of Physical Planning and the Ministry of Environment, the response has been slow and inadequate.
According to Fowora, even when the contractor briefly returned after receiving payment, attention was diverted to other streets, leaving Fowora Close abandoned.
The residents decry flooding, abandoned drainage project in Lagos estate as a symbol of what they describe as unequal development and neglect, especially in a location that is strategically important due to its proximity to the airport and concentration of hotels and businesses, , residents decry flooding abandoned drainage project Lagos estate.
“This place should be a model environment, but nothing is working,” another resident said, expressing frustration at what many see as a failure of governance.
Officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment have acknowledged the situation but have yet to provide a definitive timeline for completion of the drainage project. A spokesperson for the ministry said project execution decisions rest with government engineers and promised to provide further details.
For residents, however, the urgency goes beyond official statements. With the rainy season approaching, fears are growing that the flooding could worsen, potentially leading to property damage, displacement, and public health risks.
The residents decry flooding, abandoned drainage project in Lagos estate not just as an inconvenience, but as a threat to safety, property, and quality of life. Stagnant water, they warn, could become breeding grounds for disease, while continued structural damage may render homes uninhabitable.
Urban planners say the situation in Ajao Estate is indicative of a larger pattern across Lagos, where infrastructure development has not kept pace with population growth and construction activities. Without proper drainage systems, floodwater accumulates quickly, overwhelming communities, , residents decry flooding abandoned drainage project Lagos estate.
The residents decry flooding, abandoned drainage project in Lagos estate and are now calling on the Lagos State Government to take immediate action by compelling contractors to return to site and complete the project.
For many, this is no longer just about drainage. It is about accountability, planning, and the right to live in a safe and functional environment, , residents decry flooding abandoned drainage project Lagos estate.
Until decisive action is taken, residents say they will continue to live with uncertainty each time the skies darken and the rains begin.
https://punchng.com/residents-decry-flooding-abandoned-drainage-project-in-lagos-estate/
, residents decry flooding abandoned drainage project Lagos estate.
