Two weeks after returning from Nigeria, I decided that it was time to jot down my thoughts and experiences. It was a great time as I experienced the role of being a young elder and one to participate in larger family discussions. It was a lovely experience needing wisdom, listening, understanding the rudimentary process and abiding with collective decisions.
\nAs a partaker in the larger society where I found myself, I had to explain to myself who was visiting Nigeria for the first time that what I saw with the driver and drivers driving in the opposite direction at top speed was survival in the face of dilapidated roads and stupidity placed in the hands of God almighty who had no hand in our failed infrastructures (roads). I asked myself when we faced the oncoming trailer what will people say that I have just done to myself should an accident occur? I prayed and thanked God that I got home safely. Don\u2019t ask me why I didn\u2019t fly? The truth was that there was only one flight to Osubi and my younger sister who was lucky to get a seat waited from\u00a011.am\u00a0to 7.00pm at the airport in Lagos before flying on a flight meant to be one hour or less.<\/p>\n
This was one incident affecting the entire economy of the community. Yes the economy of the country and her people being shut off from the nation gradually owing to the greed and vision less leadership foisted on us as a people. Nigeria port authority in Warri, Sapele and Koko are now moribund. Don\u2019t ask me about the minister of aviation and the governor who are from this region and area that is gradually being led into extinction or abandonment. You live there and have experienced the death, destruction and collapse of the economic fabric that once held that part of the country. From steel industry , Timber, refinery, support services, multinational have all gone with the wind. Even the structures and land that hosted these structures and places are all gone and replaced with hotels being the only supposedly \u2018industry\u2019 capable of providing employment with the owners suffering the added burden of providing energy at an exorbitant rate.<\/p>\n
For your knowing , let me tell you Sapele was the gateway to the Delta. Ferry was the means of transportation before the garmond bridge was built and now the vibrant city of Sapele is a city sleeping twenty four hours of the day. Go and verify for yourself. The vibrancy of the city called Sapele is gone. Eternity, Life Flour Mills, Sapele ports, Mitchell farms, the rubber processing and timber industry are gone.
\nBack to my pain. It was a pain of wickedness by man. This pain was so intense that it manifested on the roads otherwise infrastructure being used by the people. I am not sure of what to say about those who come up with certain awards that are given to politicians. I leave that discussion for another time.<\/p>\n
The Delta state government is trying with his initiative on the infrastructural development. However, you would expect some level of intelligence from the civil servants and commissioners that durable by-passes are necessary to ensure that the public is not put through unfair and undue hardship when major construction jobs are on going . A journey through Udu bridge to Urhobo college enroute Effurun Warri road was the worse waste of energy, man hours and destruction otherwise depreciation of facilities. You would expect that a temporary or near permanent and stable structure would be in place for people to use before the major construction begins. Alas this is not the case. Rather what is highlighted is stupidity hidden in an endless beautiful construction of roads which will be done for eight years while leaving misery and little corn\u00a0\u00a0for my people in the name of I am loyal and they are our sons.<\/p>\n
I travelled on the Ajah Epe Ijebu Ode road getting out of Lagos to my home town of Effurun after prayers and courageous action. I was told that the government of Lagos state and Ogun state did the collaboration of getting this road done. I was glad that after eighteen years of always flying out from Lagos, I got to see the roads again.
\nAnd now I am at the crux of why I decided to write this piece. When will it be done on our politicians and state governments to embark on collaborative efforts at addressing the needs and challenges faced by our people.
\nThe Edo Delta axis is lacking this collaboration. Anyone born before 1984 would remember how good the road from Benin to Warri was. Irrespective of traffic, the Benin Warri road was done under an hour\u2019s drive. You can leave Effurun in the morning to keep your doctor\u2019s appointment at UBTH and get back home before dawn in the past. This act is now a mirage. The ineptitude of the governments and governors of both states have manifested in their hiding behind \u201cfederal roads\u201d to cause pain, suffering, destruction of lives and properties to millions of people thereby affecting the economic wellbeing of the people.<\/p>\n
What is stopping the collaboration and partnership of taking the responsibility of fixing this road. What is stopping both states from suing the federal government in addressing the problem and pains faced by citizens of both states and by extension other hinterland states going to the south east and south south.
\nThe entrance to Effurun is waiting for the federal government to come and fix while the entrance serves as gateway for millions of people. I feel ashamed as the little things that can be addressed are avoided in the name of stupid technicality. When are we going to grow up?<\/p>\n
Oh! I guess it is the stupidity of all the politicians from 1999 to date of stealing state wealth and building mansions, turning federal police men to their private security men, driving SUVs while flaunting their ill gotten wealth with no visible production or service being rendered. Rather these politicians aided by the evil servants have successfully cajoled my people with the help of miracle pastors to keep the people\u2019s hope alive.<\/p>\n
How else can we explain or express how the populace have been treated and turned into live fowls whose feathers have been removed yet alive and bleeding. But when corn is thrown at them, they cheer up thinking these politicians are doing them a favor.
\nI weep for myself and I weep for my people.<\/p>\n
By Smart Ofugara.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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