Residents of Abati George Street in Lawanson, Surulere, in Lagos have petitioned the state authorities for urgent intervention over a blocked drainage system caused by the ongoing reconstruction of Idi-Araba Market, which has left the community battling devastating floods and rising health concerns.
The project, part of the state government’s infrastructure renewal drive, began last year. But demolition debris, concrete, sand, and building waste have clogged vital canals and water channels, creating stagnant pools that flood the neighbourhood whenever it rains.
What began as an inconvenience has become a public health emergency. Residents said cases of malaria, typhoid, and respiratory infections are on the rise.
In a petition to the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources and the Surulere Local Government and Community Development Association (CDA), signed by the association’s Provost, Samuel Ekwunike and Secretary, Kenneth Claudius, the community accused the developers of neglecting basic environmental safeguards.
“The project has done the dwellers more harm than good,” the association wrote, noting that flooding, poor sanitation, and insecurity now define daily life.
Vehicular access has been cut off, the perimeter fence of the old market tampered with, and the once-busy pedestrian bridge built under former Lagos Military Governor, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa, rendered inaccessible.
The residents also complained that the removal of solar-powered streetlights previously provided by Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has left sections of the area in darkness and fuelled a rise in crime.
CDA Chairman, Hon. Mukaila Adenekan, told The Guardian that he had attempted to mediate but with little success. Suggestions for temporary drainage solutions were rejected by the contractor, while an attempt by the developers to acquire Deeper Life Church land for drainage expansion ended in a lawsuit that the church won.
Despite repeated appeals and inspection visits by government officials, the residents said no meaningful action has been taken. Construction continues while stagnant water remains a breeding ground for mosquitoes and a source of foul stench.
The community is demanding that the construction company immediately deploy a clean-up crew to manually clear the debris, provide a temporary channel to divert stagnant water until permanent works are completed, and restore the old market’s perimeter to allow vehicular passage through the area. Efforts to get the council chairman and contractor to speak on the issue proved abortive.
