Monday, March, 23 2026 - 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.
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.
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.
He noted that the situation has left parts of the area
submerged, including a residential building.
“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.
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.
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.
“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.
He further alleged that although the contractor recently resumed work after receiving payment, efforts were concentrated on another street, leaving Fowora Close unattended.
Another resident, Wale Akintola, said the damaged driveways had forced residents to park on the streets, exposing vehicles to theft and vandalism.
“Thieves now remove batteries, alternators and other parts
because cars are left outside,” he said.
Residents called on the state government to compel the
contractor to return to site and complete the project.
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.
“This place should be a model environment, but nothing is
working. Drainage has never been properly addressed.
“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.
Reacting, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment,
Adekunle Adeshina, said project execution decisions rest with government
engineers and not residents.
“I will get details from the director in charge and revert,”
he said.
He had yet to revert as of the time of filing this report on
Sunday evening.
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