Residents of Emcel Garden Estate, located opposite Mega 1 Mall on Orchid Road, Lagos, have protested against what they described as unfair treatment and arbitrary charges imposed by their estate developer.
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The controversy has sparked growing tension, with homeowners demanding that the developer relinquish control of estate management.

The residents and homeowners are demanding that the facility management of the estate be under their purview so they can contract a facility management company of their choice to maintain and manage the day-to-day running of the estate.

They disclosed the water supply issues they experienced, which lingered for about three months, and how they all had to depend on alternative sources to access water. These times, they said, caused significant challenges for both children and adults within the estate.

The property owners also demanded that the N50,000 diesel deposit be refunded, stressing that this measure was taken by the developer to restrict the renewal of electricity bill payments if this deposit was not made.

A resident, who preferred anonymity, expressed frustration over the issue.
“We have paid for our homes in full, yet the developer continues to impose fees without proper justification. The estate is not being maintained as promised, and it feels like we are paying for services we do not receive,” the resident said.

He noted that the scenario is fast becoming a common occurrence in Lagos, where developers maintain control over estates long after selling the units, continuing to profit from residents.

The homeowners of the estate argue that this practice is not only exploitative but also prevents the community from managing its own affairs in a transparent manner.

They therefore demanded that Emcel Properties Limited relinquish control and allow them to run the facility management at their own discretion.

Responding via telephone, the developer, Celestine Emokhai, said: “At the moment in Nigeria, we know the situation of power. So, we need to ask them what the situation was before and what the situation is now. And also, did anybody stop them from having their own facility?

“I am not stopping them, but you cannot come to someone’s estate and dictate to him what he needs to do.
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“And if you check around, most of the estates are collecting diesel deposits. From Banana Island to some areas in Ikate and even on Orchid Road, they collect these deposits, and some collect as much as N100,000.”

He further stated that he had given the residents an opportunity to manage the estate; however, some individuals imposed charges as high as N150,000 to N200,000.

Additionally, he noted that he owns rental properties within the estate and emphasised that he remains committed to maintaining its standards and ensuring that it does not deteriorate.

Emokhai added: “The estate was a joint development with other developers, and their developers asked me to manage their facilities.

“So, they can go back to their developers to provide the services for them.”

He stressed that residents are free to provide and manage their own services as he has not placed any restrictions on them.

He emphasised that his role is not to hinder their efforts but to ensure that the estate maintains its standard and functionality.
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