Residents cry out over Alapere canal project

Residents of Wesley area in Alapere, Lagos State have alleged abandonment of a government-financed drainage project by the contractor, making their community more prone to flooding and health hazards.

They protested against constant flood in the community when the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transports, Engineer Abdulsallam, was on inspection tour of the reconstruction of Oluwakemi/Ajiboye road expansion.

The residents said the government, in February 2017, awarded the contract to the construction company to tar the major roads in the area and construct drainage, but according to them, the firm executed only the road project and left the drainage.

Spokesman of the residents, Mr. Sola, said the firm had severally denied being awarded the contract, but had been seen at different times doing some work on the canal. He recounted the ordeal of the people living in the area whenever it rains:

“All the canals in this area congregate in this street and because there is no channel for the water to flow, it floods the area. Many times, whenever it rains, flood has forced us to stay indoor, draining water out of our homes.

“We learnt that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was coming to commission these projects. In a game of deceit, the construction company used roofing sheets to cover the abandoned project so the governor won’t notice. We have therefore decided to expose them and make sure they complete the project because life has become uncomfortable for us here.”

Another resident, Rev. xMukoro said: “We are really suffering here and we need help urgently. Every year, we purchase sand to fill up the floods, but they are usually not enough.

All the canals here are connected to this area and there is no outlet for it to flow. We are not saying that the governor will not commission the project, but we need this abandoned project to be completed so that we won’t suffer anymore.”