Residents of Isawo Community in Ikorodu are expressing deep frustration as a road project that was slated for completion in 20 weeks has dragged on for over eight years. The Lagos State Government had contracted Hitech Construction Company in 2018 to repair the Isawo-Agric Road, but progress has been slow, leaving the community in disarray.

A local businesswoman, Mrs. Foluke, recounted how the demolition of her home for the project disrupted her life and business. “The government promised compensation, but we’ve received nothing. We’ve made numerous trips to Alausa, all in vain,” she lamented.

The project, which includes the construction of a road and a bridge, was meant to alleviate severe flooding that plagued the area, forcing residents to use canoes to navigate the inundated roads. However, frequent work stoppages and poor management have left many residents homeless and businesses struggling.

Hi-Tech Construction Company has faced criticism for abandoning the project intermittently, prompting reassurances from government officials over the years. Despite these promises, the work remains incomplete. Residents like Mrs. Olaoluwa Balogun have seen their businesses suffer as potential customers avoid the flood-prone areas.

In 2019, Lagos State’s Chief Press Secretary Gboyega Akosile announced that the company had been re-mobilized to resume work, but tangible progress has been minimal. Hitech staff cite financial issues and technical challenges, including soil instability and the need for extensive surveys, as reasons for the delay.

The plight of the Isawo community reflects a broader issue of abandoned projects across Nigeria. According to BudgIT, over 2,000 projects have been abandoned nationwide in the past decade, a situation exacerbated by corruption, inadequate planning, and political patronage.

Efforts to monitor and address these abandoned projects are ongoing, but residents remain skeptical. The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) highlights the need for greater accountability and transparency in the awarding and management of construction contracts to prevent such prolonged delays in the future.

This report was facilitated by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) under its Collaborative Media Engagement for Development, Inclusivity, and Accountability (CMEDIA) project.