How Former Ejigbo LCDA Secretary, Paul Fregene, Facilitated Drainage Project for Bucknor Estate
By Kunle Awosiyan
Bucknor Estate, Oke-Afa, Ejigbo, Lagos, a fast-growing and densely populated residential community, has for years struggled with infrastructural development despite the quality and diversity of its stakeholders.
The estate, largely inhabited by non-Southwestern Nigerians, recorded a major milestone when it produced its first Secretary to the Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Deacon (Dr) Paul Fregene, who served as Secretary to Ejigbo LCDA.
During his tenure, Fregene made sustained efforts to attract development projects to Bucknor Estate but was unable to achieve this for over eight years due to institutional limitations.
In 2022, the then Chairman of Ashamu Estate Community Development Association (CDA), Mr Adeola Jimoh, formally wrote to the relevant authorities requesting the construction of a comprehensive drainage system within the estate. However, the request did not yield results.
Undeterred, Deacon Fregene took personal initiative in 2023, writing directly to the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment, Office of Drainage Services, seeking the construction of a drainage system along Sarah Faboyede Street—the longest and most populated street in Bucknor Estate and a major access route to other parts of the community.
For two years, Fregene consistently followed up on the request as a stakeholder. The effort eventually paid off when the project was approved and captured in the 2025 Lagos State Appropriation Budget.
Following the approval, officials of the Drainage Services Department contacted Fregene to inform him that the project had been awarded and the contractor mobilised, with a community engagement scheduled for Wednesday, December 10, 2025.
Community Engagement and Project Details
On the scheduled date, residents of Area 1, Bucknor Estate, mobilised en masse for the meeting, filling the venue to capacity—an indication of the community’s strong support for the project.
In his opening remarks, Deacon Fregene paid tribute to the late Mrs Sarah Faboyede (CP, rtd), the first Chairperson of the pioneer CDA in Bucknor Estate, who played a critical role in the early development of the community before her passing earlier this year.
A four-man Lagos State Government drainage team, led by Engr. Ogunyemi, Deputy Director, Drainage Services—and National President of the Environmental Engineers of Nigeria—explained the scope and technical details of the project, including its depth, width, and alignment.
Engr. Ogunyemi disclosed that the Lagos State Government had achieved 95 per cent completion of the main canal drainage leading to Fasheun Bridge, noting that drainage from Sarah Faboyede Street would be channelled through Pedro Street into the main canal.
He further assured residents of John Obafemi Street (Area 4) that their drainage project would be executed as Phase Two of the current intervention.
The Site Engineer, Engr. Ekerin, explained that the project would commence with a sensitisation exercise, during which survey markings would be carried out.
He advised residents to remove any structures or objects encroaching on the project’s right-of-way to avoid delays.
Community Appreciation
On behalf of the Bucknor Estate Initiative (BEI), residents expressed gratitude to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, and officials of the Drainage Services Department for approving and initiating the project.
A landlord and stakeholder, Mr Austin Ukete, described the development as a turning point for the estate.
“Today is one of my happiest days in Bucknor Estate, where I have lived for over a decade. I believe many residents will now breathe a sigh of relief.
We appreciate the state government and assure them that our disposition towards governance will continue to improve,” he said.
The community also pledged to take ownership of the project, assuring the safety of contractors, workers and materials throughout the execution period.
Dignitaries Present
Those in attendance included Deacon (Dr) Paul Fregene, immediate past Secretary to Ejigbo LCDA and Patron of BEI; Comrade Toyin Saka, Chairman, BEI; Alhaji Yinusa Sule, Deputy Chairman, BEI and Chairman, Area 1; Surveyor Richard Akinyemi, Chairman, Area 4; Mrs Nike Fashoyin, Financial Secretary, BEI; Elders Omosuyi and Obafemi; Mrs Remi Oke; Mr Austin Ukete, and other residents.
Call for More Government Intervention
In a closing appeal, the community urged the Lagos State Government to extend further infrastructural development to Bucknor Estate, noting that residents have consistently supported development through self-help initiatives, including the provision of over 20 electricity transformers, construction of internal roads and drainage systems.
