By Azeez Sanusi

Against the backdrop of alleged slow pace of work on the construction of drainage channels at Dorcas Street in Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, LCDA, the Chairman of the Council, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan has assured residents of the area of better roads and a more effective drainage system.

Residents of Dorcas Street had complained that ongoing construction work on a drainage project in the area has rendered the entire community impassable. The State Ministry of Environment had dug a gutter as part of the project but this has impeded movement in the area. The problem is compounded by another on-going road construction by the Lagos State Ministry of Works.

Vanguard Metro, VM, spoke to a cross section of the local dwellers who voiced out their displeasure at the slow pace of work on the project. A lady who identified herself as  Funmilayo explained that the drainage which extends to an adjacent street has been left open for about six months without any serious work to enhance its completion.

According to her, it is very difficult for students to make their way through the street because of the heap of sand stretching through the entire street, especially when it rains. “We are grateful for what the government is trying to do but when a project of this nature begins to drag for a long time, it causes problems for everyone,” Funmilayo said.

Another resident of the area told VM that it has become a common feature to see  passers-by falling in the gutter. “People fall inside every now and then, especially those trying to go in or come out of their shops,” he said.

Meanwhile, some shops have been demolished to facilitate the construction of the drainage. The  Resident Engineer in charge of  Oshodi-Isolo, Mr. Bakare Akeem gave the completion date for the project as January, 2014.   “Drainage construction is a sensitive project that is bound to cause inconveniences,” he said, and enjoined the people to be patient as the project will soon be completed.

The LCDA Chairman, Mr. Bamigbetan said the project was initiated by the Local Council but due to the magnitude of the work, the Ministry of the Environment was contacted, hence the Ministry is now handling the project.

“The problem started when the Idimu Road was done to raise the road level higher than the surrounding environment,” he explained. According to the Council boss, the project was embarked upon to channel water to the same destination as the Idimu drainage with the road serving as a link between Idimu and Ejigbo.

He acknowledged the suffering of the people in that locality in these words: “The people there have suffered so much and they have shown their displeasure many times. Our hope is that all these problems will now be solved and people will be able to embrace government better.”