WHEN the idea of constructing a drainage system on the Capitol/Oke-Koto area of Agege, a suburb of Lagos was initially conceived in 2008, it was applauded as a good plan in the right direction, considering the topography of the area as a flood prone region.

Before then, houses, churches, mosques and even the main road, considered an alternative route around the Agege axis was always submerged in water whenever it rained. It was usually tales of woe from residents who always counted their losses after heavy downpour.

The commencement of the drainage system was, therefore, meant to be a soothing balm to the distressed residents, as it raised their hope of averting incessant flooding.

But five years down the line, the drainage is yet to be completed. It the story of another abandoned project, which has further aggravated the suffering of the residents.

Investigations revealed that the project, which at the initial stage was funded by the World Bank, took off from the Capitol area in 2008, but was abruptly stopped at the Oniwaya junction when the sponsors withdrew due to paucity of funds.

The Lagos State government, however, came to the rescue and took over the project only to start foot-dragging afterwards. This has brought untold pain and hardship to residents and motorists alike. The Guardian gathered that the project, presently being handled by the sixth contractor, has become a serious nightmare to residents.

Since the rainy season began and due to the nature of the area, the drainage, which is about eight feets wide, and ten feets deep is always submerged with the water flowing into nearby houses, shops and worship centres, destroying goods, properties and valuable materials in the process.

Residents are finding it particularly heartbreaking that three people have died in the drainage in the last few months, when they tripped and were stabbed to death by the iron rods inserted at the bottom of the drainage. Lots of vehicles have also been destroyed and free-flow of traffic along the axis has been hindered due to partial closure of one side of the road caused by the accumulation of rubbles.

An Executive member of the Alfa-Nla Community Development Association (CDA), Mr. Musibau Bello who spoke to The Guardian last week said after the project was stopped at Oniwaya junction, it was abandoned for two years before a new contractor showed up in 2012 to start fresh digging.

“Four months ago, they left and there was silt in the drainage. We met with the contractors recently and workers resumed two weeks ago to start dislodging the silt and rubbles from the drainage. They promised to also install streetlights and construct a canal for easy passage of water.

“This project should not be turned into an extortion channel. They need to complete it for us to benefit from the dividends of democracy. They have also abandoned the projects at Mulero, Kasumu and Elere streets,” he said.

He appealed to Lagos State government to save the residents from incessant flooding since the commencement of the rainy season, adding that the number of casualties already claimed by the abandoned project should not be allowed to increase or go in vain.

On his part, Alhaji Noah Babatunde, another landlord said that lots of politics are surrounding the project. He disclosed that the quality of job done so far is inferior compared to what was done at the Capitol end.

He claimed that the CDA has taken serious step to ensure completion of the project because life is gradually becoming unbearable for them due to the danger the abandoned project poses to them.

“Whenever it rains, it’s always impossible for residents to get access to their houses because the road is always muddy and impassable. Mosquitoes are breeding in the stagnant water and things are becoming harder for us. Car owners can’t access their houses; we have to provide makeshift planks to pass.

“The areas the contractors are claiming to have been completed are already blocked with dirt, which shows that the quality of job done is inferior. The blockage is due to the fact that the planks used for the concrete work were not removed, making it difficult to absorb water,” he said.

When The Guardian visited the yard of the contractor handling the project at Hamani Street, Agege, the officials refused to comment on the issue. They directed the reporter to the Lagos State Ministry of Works, Alausa, Ikeja.

For two days, the reporter was tossed around from the Works Ministry to the Ministry of Environment and from there to the Ministry of Information but none of the officials was willing to assist.

At the end of the day, they informed that a questionnaire would be drafted and submitted to the Ministry of Information and after being vetted would be forwarded to the Ministry of Environment.

As at the time of filing this report, the contractors are yet to return to the project site.