Residents of several communities in Lagos State are expressing frustration and fear over the worsening condition of roads and the recurring flooding that has rendered many homeless. Areas like Oyadiran Estate in Yaba and Festac in Amuwo Odofin have been hit hard by poor infrastructure, blocked drainages, and constant flooding that disrupts daily life and business activities.

In Oyadiran Estate, what was once a peaceful and well-structured neighborhood has turned into a nightmare of broken roads and overflowing gutters. Deep potholes have turned the roads into gullies, while rainwater floods homes and shops due to clogged drainage systems. Residents say they have endured years of neglect despite repeated promises from local authorities. One resident, Kunle Adebayo, lamented that “politicians only come during elections with empty promises,” while his car continues to break down from navigating the bad roads daily.

Small business owners have also been hit hard. Mike Ojo, a trader, said she loses thousands of naira worth of goods each time it rains, as her shop gets flooded. The situation has also raised public health concerns, with stagnant water becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes and waterborne diseases. The chairman of the estate’s residents’ association, Tayo Ogunyeye, described the crisis as “a public health emergency waiting to happen,” calling on the government to redesign and reconstruct the drainage system.

The story is the same in Festac and Amuwo Odofin, where most roads have collapsed. From First Avenue to Seventh Avenue, residents struggle daily to move through flooded and impassable roads. Lawyer Marcellus Onah condemned the government’s slow pace in completing drainage works, saying, “We can’t go out for days after heavy rain because the estate is submerged.” He fears the project might be deliberately delayed for political reasons ahead of the 2027 elections.

Other residents, like Kolade Ademola, expressed disappointment in the government’s failure to maintain the once-beautiful roads in Festac. He blamed corruption and poor leadership for the decay, urging the new local government chairman to prioritize road repairs. Residents hope that as the dry season approaches, real action will be taken to end their suffering.