Stuck in the Mud, Abandoned Road Project Wreaks Havoc in Ogun Community

Bakare Sakrat was resting at home one rainy afternoon with her young son, lulled to sleep by the cold weather and rhythmic raindrops. She woke up to an unusual sound of water and realised that flooding had reached her doorstep.

“As I got up to check outside, I felt water reaching up to my knees. That was when I realised the flood had entered my house,” she recalled.

Panic-stricken, Bakare lifted her son from the couch and rushed outside, leaving most of her belongings behind. Her son’s safety was her only concern at that moment.

“I was so confused. The entire house was already flooded. I even left my phone behind at first,” she said. “After securing my son outside, I had to go back in to get it.”

The flood that struck Bakare’s community of Figigbade left her with damaged and missing possessions, including her children’s soaked schoolbooks, which affected their academics as they were preparing for promotional exams. As a dry cleaner, Bakare also lost several clients’ clothes.

“One of my customers had an expensive outfit that got ruined. She was in tears, and I wasn’t happy either,” Bakare lamented.

Her husband was away, so when the waters finally reduced, she and her children, with neighbours’ help, cleaned out their home and prepared a dry area to spend the night. However, that night’s sleep was anything but restful.

“It was a nightmare,” she said. “We were plagued by mosquito bites, and my little son later became seriously ill.”

Allocated ZIP Project Left Incomplete

In 2021, the Federal Government allocated 13.5 million naira under the Zonal Intervention Project (ZIP) to construct concrete drainage and the Fibigbade Road, extending to Ojude Olooto in Ago-Iwoye, Ijebu-North LGA, Ogun State. The project was contracted to ADBAAF Nigeria Ltd. However, findings reveal that the project remains only half-completed, resulting in seasonal flooding that affects houses and shops near the Koroko Stream along the road. This recent flood incident occurred in July 2024.

The unpaved portion of the road failed to control water rushing from the overflowing stream. Coupled with a blocked drainage point, this situation led to massive flooding, causing extensive damage to properties and shop goods amid Nigeria’s ongoing inflation crisis.

Beyond Bakare’s experience, several shop owners near Fibigbade Road have also suffered due to the flooding.

Onasanya Damilare, a trader of beverages and foodstuffs, was in his shop when the rain began. When the floodwater surged into his shop, many of his products were destroyed.

“My small fridge and generator got damaged. As the floodwaters rose, we could only save a few items, while the rest were swept away. Even some people who came to help ended up taking some of my goods,” he said, a hint of sadness in his voice.

The losses from this single incident totalled around ₦250,000.

“After everything, I was left feeling helpless,” Damilare continued. “Now, whenever it rains, I don’t take chances. I immediately move my goods to a safe part of my store. I can’t afford for this to happen again.”

Matthew Otubo, a chemist, wasn’t in his shop when the flooding struck. He had travelled to Lagos to restock supplies when he received a distressing call from his apprentice. The flood had invaded his shop.

“It broke my heart, especially knowing the amount of stock I had in the shop,” he admitted.

Products such as sanitary pads, toiletries, and medicines on the floor were soaked and completely ruined, forcing him to dispose of them. His losses amounted to approximately ₦204,000.

“I still haven’t recovered from it,” Otubo shared. “I just hope the government addresses the incomplete project soon because living with this constant risk is exhausting.”

Commuters also shared in the woes caused by the terrible road. Egbeolowo Saheed, a student, had his misfortune on the Fibigbade road in 2022. One rainy day, just as the downpour ended, he ventured out to pick up something along the roadside. Unfortunately, the bike he was riding slipped in the thick mud.

“I ended up with minor injuries that took days to heal,” he said. “All I wanted was a quick errand, and I got this instead.”

Since then, Egbeolowo has avoided the route whenever it rains to steer clear of a similar experience.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported that in 2023 alone, 33,983 people across Nigeria were affected by flooding. The National Bureau of Statistics further noted in a December 2023 report that the floods caused an estimated $9 billion in economic damage nationwide.

To minimize the impact in 2024, the Ogun State government issued an early warning, urging residents in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer grounds before the rainy season intensified. This advisory followed predictions by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), which anticipated a prolonged rainy season from March to December. 

The agencies projected an average rainy period of 239 days, with anticipated rainfall reaching 1,786.5 mm, affecting 16 out of the 20 Local Government Areas in Ogun State. Despite these warnings, the Figigbade community still faces flooding challenges due to the incomplete government project.

Flooding in Ogun State has become increasingly frequent and destructive. In 2023, several flood events were recorded across the state, with tragic consequences. In April, flooding in the Sagamu Local Government Area claimed the life of a 14-year-old student, with other residents reported missing. Similarly, OPIC Estate in Agbara, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, experienced repeated floods, prompting the community to petition the government for assistance.

In contrast, in Aremo-Segun Crescent, another community in the Ijebu-North Local Government Area, where Figigbade is located, a completed road and drainage project has protected the community from flooding. This highlights the critical role of thorough, quality infrastructure in mitigating flood risks.

Survey Engineer Robert Anjorin noted the importance of completing road asphalting and drainage systems to control flooding effectively.

“If a road is left incomplete without asphalt, regardless of any initial grading, the impact of rainfall will gradually wear it down, often leading to erosion and increased flood risk,” he explained. “Even the asphalted sections and concrete drainage will suffer over time. This is why it’s essential to finish the project and prevent further damage.”

As a temporary solution, while awaiting government intervention, Anjorin advised the community to take proactive measures.

“Residents should work to keep the drainage system clear of blockages, whether from dirt or debris. This will help prevent additional flooding during heavy rains,” he said. 

He urged the government to complete the road project, stressing the urgency, as the rainy season is still ongoing and could result in even more significant damage if left unaddressed.

This story was funded by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) through its Empower Women in Media Cohort project.