Resident of Festac Town are calling on the government for urgent intervention as the area continues to suffer from dangerously deteriorated roads and failing drainage systems.

To many of the residents, what was once a peaceful and organised neighbourhood has become a nightmare of potholes, with stagnated dirty water, affecting not just movement but also businesses and property.

As a result many of the once functional roads, including 206 Road, 401, 3rd Avenue Junction, 4th Avenue have become nearly impassable. Particularly after rainfall, large potholes are filled with dirty water, creating hidden traps for motorists and pedestrians alike.

Many residents report that their vehicles have been severely damaged due to the terrible state of the roads, while several small business owners say their profits are sinking along with the road.

“This isn’t just a problem anymore — it’s destroying our daily lives and the way we survive,” said Mrs. Mary Obiageli, a long-time businesswoman and Dangote distributor who operates on 206 Road.

“I find it hard to move goods from one location to another. The bad road sometimes delays deliveries and affects how quickly I can get products to my customers. It really disrupts the flow of my business,” she lamented.

Obiageli is just one voice among many.
Although four other residents interviewed chose to remain anonymous out of fear of being victimised, they expressed similar concerns, lamenting rising transportation costs, increased wear and tear on vehicles, and a growing sense of abandonment.

One of the anonymous residents, a keke Napep driver, recounted: “You can’t even dodge these potholes anymore; they are everywhere. The worst part is the water. After every rain, the streets turn to rivers. Sometimes you don’t even know if you’re driving into a hole or a ditch.”

According to him, the poor drainage system has made things worse as many of the drains are clogged with debris and refuse, making transportation almost unbearable.

Surprisingly, during the build up to the July 12 local council elections, some residents said they noticed minor attempts at repairs, which to them was a politically motivated move, as the roads were filled with stones.

They added that the efforts to uplift other roads have since stopped immediately after the election.

“They only fixed the roads because of elections. They didn’t repair; they just covered it up. Now it’s even more dangerous because the surface looks okay, but underneath it’s still damaged,” Obiageli said.