Residents decry flooding, abandoned drainage project in Lagos estate

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Residents of Fowora Close in Ajao Estate, Lagos State, have lamented years of persistent flooding and an allegedly abandoned drainage project by contractors engaged by the state Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.

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Chairman of the Ajao Estate East Community Development Association, Olusegun Fowora, told PUNCH Metro during a visit on Friday that the project had been neglected despite repeated appeals to authorities.

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According to him, flooding in the area, which dates back to 2007, has worsened due to poor drainage planning, with floodwaters from adjoining streets flowing into Fowora Close.

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He noted that the situation has left parts of the area submerged, including a residential building.

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“We have battled flooding for years. As construction increases, so does the volume of water. Floodwater flows through Awoniyi Elemo and Adele Close before ending here. Whenever it rains, the entire area is submerged, sometimes up to two feet,” he said.

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Fowora said residents had written several letters to government agencies, including the Ministry of Physical Planning and later the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, before officials eventually inspected the area.

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He added that a contractor was deployed in January 2025 to construct drainage channels but alleged that the work was poorly executed and later abandoned.

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“They excavated the area but constructed a one-sided gutter away from the most affected section. They also destroyed our driveways and asked us to fix them ourselves. Till now, they have not returned,” he said.

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He further alleged that although the contractor recently resumed work after receiving payment, efforts were concentrated on another street, leaving Fowora Close unattended.

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During a visit to the site, PUNCH Metro observed a storey building gradually being submerged, alongside an abandoned carpentry workshop and equipment reportedly left behind by the contractor.

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Fowora also showed a vehicle trapped within his compound due to an open trench dug in front of his house.

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Another resident, Wale Akintola, said the damaged driveways had forced residents to park on the streets, exposing vehicles to theft and vandalism.

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“Thieves now remove batteries, alternators and other parts because cars are left outside,” he said.

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Residents called on the state government to compel the contractor to return to site and complete the project.

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Also speaking, Olu Isijola decried what he described as long-standing neglect of the estate despite its proximity to the airport and concentration of hotels and schools.

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“This place should be a model environment, but nothing is working. Drainage has never been properly addressed.

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“This estate is neglected by the government and the local government. In all aspects of modern life, this place should be an example because it is close to the airport and has many hotels and schools, but nothing is working,” he said.

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Reacting, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, Adekunle Adeshina, said project execution decisions rest with government engineers and not residents.

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“I will get details from the director in charge and revert,” he said.

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He had yet to revert as of the time of filing this report on Sunday evening.

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