By Muhammad Dauda Muhammad
About two years or so, I was in Jimeta, the capital city of Adamawa State, where I went to visit my family. And, from my observation, the city had witnessed a significant infrastructure improvement and, more significantly, the roads.
I was amazed to see many areas where new roads were constructed. In the past, I would have never imagined that those places would one day be tarred, but all thanks to the former and the present administrations.
Now, I will state what triggered me to develop this piece. During my visit, I noticed something ill about people’s behaviour towards the new road infrastructure put in place to ease their daily routine, especially in the rainy season.
Though I am not an engineer by profession, from experience, I know that roads that have already been constructed don’t need any form of substance to stay on them, be it water, oil or anything such. But instead, for people to be more careful and ensure the cleanliness of the roads, they choose to make the drainages built beside the roads for the successful passage of water a place to dump wastes. However, this act congested the drainages, thereby resulting in the stoppage of the water flow, making it spilt all over the roads.
Forget about Adamawa state, which is like a development area compared to states like Lagos and Kano. Kano State is not an exception when it comes to the issue of lack of maintenance of infrastructure. Looking at the ongoing road construction along Gwarzo Road, one will wonder why and how a whole road construction company will block a road for years, all in the name of construction, which is causing more damage to the already constructed road than is good. I am referring to those places they blocked planning to build a new roundabout.
This negligence didn’t stop on properties owned and controlled by the government alone but also in learning institutions like ours. Look at the Ibrahim Gambari Square, built and commissioned a few years ago and the first on our campus.
Almost all the features set for the beautification of the facility have lost their structure. The fine bulbs that lighten and brighten up the place at night, the concrete chairs that students use to sit and catch a glimpse, the taps that splash water stylishly in the air, and the water flow system that has already been blocked.
It has not stopped there, but some roads need urgent attention due to eruption, not to mention the grasses that have taken over so many places, greatly threatening the people and the environment.
NB: this piece is not an exposè but a mere candid call to all concerned citizens, both from the public and those in authority, to work collectively in ensuring a transparent and dirt-free society.
Muhammad Dauda Muhammad is a final year student of Mass Communication, Faculty of Communication, Bayero University, Kano. He can be reached via muhammaddaudamuhammad@gmail.com.
