Residents of Surulere in Lagos State have petitioned their representative in the House of Representatives, Lanre Okunola, over what they describe as the poor execution and prolonged delay of a road project in their community.
Community Alleges Substandard Materials
Members of the Anjorin Community Development Association (ACDA) in Baruwa Ward, Surulere 2 Constituency, submitted a petition alleging that the reconstruction of Anjorin Street has fallen short of expected standards. The community claims that drainage clearing began in August 2024 but the project stalled for months, leaving the area in a deteriorating condition. Vegetation has overgrown parts of the roadside, and access to properties became difficult after culverts and entrance slabs were removed.
In the petition signed by ACDA chairman Kehinde Okelade, residents expressed concerns about the quality of materials and supervision. Okelade stated: "We observed that the iron rods used for the construction were so tiny, below the required specifications, and the work was being executed by mallams without any engineer on site for supervision."
Comparison With Nearby Project
The community contrasted the project with the reconstruction of nearby Onadeko Street, which was completed within seven months by the Itire/Ikate Local Council Development Area in 2025. Residents also accused those handling the Anjorin project of excavating a junction connecting Akanji Street without consulting community leaders, disrupting access to the area.
Call for Inspection
Okelade warned that the current standard of work could lead to future structural failures, citing Cole Street, which was reportedly reconstructed in 2024 but has already developed significant defects. The CDA urged Okunola to conduct an inspection visit and ensure that public funds allocated to the project are properly utilised. "As leaders within the community, we have been receiving so many complaints from residents regarding the state of Cole Street and also Anjorin about the poor construction and the slow pace of the construction, which has been ongoing for about two years," he added.
