From Roads To Security: CDAs transforming neighbourhoods with minimal support

Many Community Development Associations (CDAs) in Lagos State are stepping in to address critical infrastructure gaps in their communities through self-help initiatives. These projects, ranging from road construction to drainage systems, electricity, water supply, and security, are significantly improving living conditions in the areas they serve.

However, while these efforts are commendable, they are often borne out of necessity rather than choice. Many CDAs began these projects after the state and local councils failed to address their communities’ needs, despite repeated requests for assistance.

Before now, CDAs liaised with government arms for implementation of needed infrastructure, however, over time, they have taken on the responsibility of executing these projects themselves, rather than waiting for government. This shift is evident not only in urban areas but also in rural locations, where CDAs in communities such as Ijede and Imota, alongside those in Isolo, Magodo, Amuwo Odofin, and Eti-Osa, are undertaking self-help projects to lift their neighbourhoods.

For instance, Liberty Estate CDA in Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) undertook several major initiatives, including the installation of three transformers, the construction of a CDA secretariat, the paving of nine streets with interlocking stones, the construction of a drainage system, installation of solar street lights, and the erection of an entrance gate with an arch.

Similarly, Isheri North GRA CDA in Ikosi-Isheri LCDA paved the main road and nine others streets with interlocking stones, provided a central water works, constructed embankment to address flooding, renovated CDA secretariat, purchased and energised seven transformers, automated its gates, employed 80 security personnel and bought electric poles.

Other CDAs have also executed impressive infrastructure projects. Oshorun CDA in Ikosi-Isheri LCDA provided waterworks to serve all houses, constructed roads with interlocking stones in 14 streets with drainage system, installed two 500 Kwa transformers and installed solar street lights and CCTV.

Magodo Phase 2 CDA in Ikosi-Isheri LCDA is also not left out, as it constructed a fully furnished security lodge, children playground, general lounge, senior citizens relaxation centre, constructed a CDA hall, constructed 13 roads and drainages with speed breakers, walkways, installed 75 CCTV cameras for the whole estate, bought four motorcycles for security patrol, environmental van, employed 70 security personnel in different categories and surveillance personnel, automated gate system with e-tag, and purchased four generators.

Other notable contributions include that of Ise Oluwa CDA in Ifako Ijaiye LCDA, which constructed four roads and culverts, installed 19 solar street lights, mounted four gates and security posts, house numbering, signposts and street marking, constructed drainage system within the estate, provided a recycling bin, installed four solar CCTV cameras, installed speed breakers on the road, and employed 14 security personnel.

On its part, Oko-Ito CDA in Imota LCDA constructed drainage culvert, carried out youth empowerment programme, installed 17 electric poles, purchased and installed a transformer.

Equally, Equitable Estate CDA in Ijede LCDA constructed a perimeter fence around the estate, constructed a culvert and security gate, drainage systems, installed streetlights and CCTV cameras, purchased and installed a transformer and electric poles, provided palliatives to the less privilege in the community, and employed security personnel.

Likewise, Omitoro Phase 5 CDA in Ikorodu Central Local Council purchased and installed a 500kva transformer, 16 electrical poles, cables, 70 solar street lights, erection of six gates, employed security personnel, graded and filling of 13 streets with hardcore, culverts and drainages.

Additionally, Iwajowa CDA in Olorunda LCDA purchased and installed a 500kva transformer, constructed a motorable wooden bridge, erected 100 electric concrete poles, graded streets in the community, constructed eight security gates, installed 25 solar street lights and employed 10 security guards.

In the same vein, Awodi Ora Estate CDA in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Council constructed two gates with security posts, installed 62 solar lights, filling of roads, free jamb forms for eight pupils, free GCE forms for 8 pupils, two boreholes and 10 security guards.

This is just as Iba Oloja CDA in Ibeju Lekki Local Council reclaimed and sand-filled Oju agbe-iba Oloja link road, purchased two canoes to ferry community members across water, built a healthcare centre, erected an electric pole, and constructed a local jetty.

Also, Azare CDA in Apapa Local Council cleared and quarterly maintained a canal within its community, carried out a back to school projects where bags, books, math sets, socks and shoes were distributed to pupils, and installed 15 solar streetlights.

Furthermore, Shagari CDA in Epe Local Council reconstructed portion of its perimeter fence, engaged in street naming, mounted two gates and security posts, installed four streetlights, constructed drainage and culvert, refurbished the community borehole and bought a generator, including employing six security personnel, while Gbara CDA in Eti-Osa Local Council graded some roads with rubbles, cleared some of its drainage, constructed two community boreholes, built a baale palace, and employed 15 security guards.

Mr. Jabita Adeboye Felix of IbaOloja CDA revealed that all the projects executed his CDAs were because the residents were negatively bearing the brunt of their non existence, especially as government seems unperturbed to their plight.

He said that the government, especially at the local council was notified about the pains they were passing through because of the lack of the facilities, healthcare centre and jetty, as well as inaccessible road.

“You know it is said that heaven helps those who help themselves. So, we decided to do the projects because we could no longer wait for government who was not showing any signs of coming to our aid,” Felix stated.

According to him, no actually figure that can be provided as the true cost of each of the project though there are records of how much was spent on each project.

He added that in the execution of the projects there were volunteer labours among others support from residents and indigenes in Diaspora, which were not quantified in naira and kobo. He, nonetheless, said that not less than N30 million were spent outside efforts and supports not valued in naira and kobo.

Also speaking, Mr. Innocent Amadi, a member of the executive council of Alahun Osunba Estate CDA, whose CDA is constructing an interlocking road is that over a kilometer, disclosed that the residents and landlords were forced to embark on the project because government was not coming to their aid after notifying government about the deplorable state of the road.

He stated that when it rains, it is usually hellish for both commuters and motorists, as the vehicles would have become very dirty after driving through. He added that it is same with commuters who would look dirty on walking through the road which was embarrassing to residents.

According to him, when the landlords pushed for government intervention, they were asked to form themselves into a CDA which they did but when nothing was forthcoming, they decided to resort to self help.

He disclosed that while each landlord was asked to contribute N500,000 each, tenants were not asked to contribute N24,000. He added that therefore appeals were made to landlords to make additional contributions with some giving as much as N2 million to the project.

According to him, they have almost completed the road project with solar streetlights. He said the next phase is the adjoining roads into the estate and the executive has informed each street to raise 50 per cent of the fund needed to do the adjoining roads while the central executive committee will provide the balance needed for the project.