“One of our members was coming back from the farm, and the river drowned him while he was trying to cross.” – Abdullahi
In Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, residents of Tunga Sarki in Kwali Area Council have been landlocked within their community as going out equals crossing mountains and seas, literally.
The road which links the community to their market, schools, and other communities, has completely collapsed since 2018, affecting the living conditions of the residents. Many have lost their lives and income because of the road.
When Tracka visited the community to teach them how to engage their elected representatives to fix the road, Abdullahi, one of the youths in the community, complained bitterly about the situation.
“This road has really affected our market sellers, children, and teachers. Our products are rotting on the farm because we can’t sell them due to the bad road. Motorcycles and human beings cannot cross without putting ourselves in danger, so cars and trucks cannot come in at all.” he told Tracka.
When one counts the many factors that can put children out of school, terrible roads are usually omitted. But in Tunga Sarki, children under 10 years do not go to school anymore because they cannot cross the road. The attendance of teachers in school has also reduced significantly.
If you watch the video below, you will see that motorcycles have to be dropped down and dragged through the river. People have to climb down a wooden ladder, pass through the water, then climb up to the other side.
During emergencies, the people do not have any rescue alternatives as there is no road to pass. It gets worse when it rains as the river will overflow and there won’t be dry land to pass.
According to residents, even the government cannot hold electoral campaigns in this community because it is difficult to get in. This is an emergency situation because people are dying, losing their source of living, and children are also being deprived of education.
We call on the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, the FCT Minister of State, Hajiya Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, the local government chairman, Hon. Danladi Chiya, Senator Phillip Aduda, Hon. Hassan Usman Sokodabo, and other stakeholders to take urgent action to fix this road.
Story by Garba Abdullahi and Ayomide Ladipo.
