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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
For residents of Dogo Gada community, life and livelihoods have become hellish since the collapse of the only bridge linking the suburb to the rest of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Before now, especially during the rainy season, residents were always in panic mode because of the proclivity that the roads would be muddy and impassable.
Beyond that, residents are compelled to contribute money to fix the dilapidated bridge which the flow of water stretches from Lugbe to Efab Estate, down to Galadimawa village.
This is accompanied by repeated fatalities caused by flooding and reckless driving and impatience of car owners and motorcycle operators.
Large portions of land have been swallowed by the volume of water, leaving residents and motorists stranded. Tenants are having a running battle with agents and landlords for deceiving them into renting apartments in such a messy environment.
Business owners, civil servants, commerical motorcycle operators all bear the brunt of the environmental problem, as they now take longer and unsafe route to work amid insecurity.
On September 14, Irimiya Kanpani, the village head of Lokogoma, on behalf of the residents, authored a letter entitled: ‘Appeal for Urgent Intervention on the Collapsed Bridge and the Deplorable Condition of the Township Road in Lokogoma Village (A.K.A Dogon Gada)’, to the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
The letter was received and acknowledged by the office of the chairman on that same day.
The letter reads in part: “The collapse of the bridge has severely disrupted the movement of residents, motorists, and other road users in and out of the community.
“The already poor condition of the township road has further compounded the situation, making transportation extremely difficult, unsafe, and inconvenient for residents and commuters.
“The situation is particularly alarming during the ongoing rainy season, as continued rainfall may worsen the damage, further restrict access to the community, and increase the risk of accidents and other hazards.
“In view of the above, we respectfully appeal to the Executive Chairman of AMAC to kindly inspect the affected areas and facilitate urgent intervention for the reconstruction of the collapsed bridge and the rehabilitation of the township road.”
But, for over one month now, nothing has been done to assuage the sufferings of the people.
A landlord, Emeka Chrysostom, detailed the harrowing experience he is going through on a daily basis.
“We have been battling with the bridge for a long time. Each year, we are made to contribute money to repair the bridge. We collectively buy bags of cement, chippings and iron rods and other materials to repair the bridge.
“But the total collapse this time is beyond the financial capacity of the people. As you can see, we are still struggling to raise money to fix it.
“The more we delay, the more the road gets bad. The earlier we fix it, the better for us. Our cars are suffering. Commerical motorcycle operators are taking advantage of the predicaments to bill us exorbitantly. The excuse has always been the bridge and the bad road,” he said.
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He added that three units of his self-contained apartments are still vacant because potential tenants would not want to rent them because of the roads.
The landlord said: “I had to crash the price of the rent to ensure that people rent it. But they are making references to the roads, especially the bridge. It has not been easy. We really need help.”
Also, some of the tenants vowed to park out at the expiration of their rents.
“I love my apartment. But the collapsed bridge is giving me a cause to worry. Whenever it rains, commerical motorcycle operators would either hike the fair or completely reject going to the community.
“Sometimes, we fall when trying to go home. It is not easy. I do not think I would be renewing my rent next year,” Agatha Peters lamented.
Another tenants, John Musa, recalled how he fell from a bike because of the road.
“About three week ago, I fell off from the bike because of the road. We need the government to help us. We are not finding it funny at all.”
To this end, concerned residents and landlords have taken up the challenge, to rally round to put money together to salvage the situation.
Each compound is billed N35,000, a levy that is expected to be paid before the end of October. While, some tenants vowed not to pay, heaping the financial responsibilities on landlords. House owners, on the other hand, are protesting against the levy, saying they would share the burden with tenants.
Chairman of the Bridge Construction Committee, Louis Chuka, warned that house owners who failed to pay before the end of October would be forced pay N50,000 as against the N35,000 stipulated fee, as their light would be disconnected.
Chuka, on the community Whatsapp platform threatened: “Kindly note that a penalty applies after the deadline and payment adjusted to N50,000.
“We appeal to all landlords, who are yet to make their payments to please do so promptly.”
When contacted, the Head of Media Unit, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Manzo Ezekiel, said it was not its mandate to repair the broken bridge but to respond in times of disaster management. He added that the cost of repairing the bridge was way more than the capacity of NEMA.
But the Deputy Director, Forecasting Response and Mitigation, Federal Management Agency (FEMA) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mark Nyam, acknowledged awareness of the collapsed bridge, stating that a thorough assessment had been carried out on the bridge and other neighbouring communities.
According to Nyam, a report had been submitted to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nyesom Wike, for immediate action.
“We have been there and we have given a report to the minister. The ES has given the minister a report on that Dogon Gada bridge.
“In fact, we assessed some critical places with the ES. We took one day and did a dogon gada amongst the trust fund. So we have given the report to the minister. So that is what I can tell you now. I was part of the assessment committee.”
On how soon the bridge would be repaired, he said he could not give a time frame.
“You know, I cannot say. Because the minister is the minister. So it depends on how he feels that the work would be done.
“But I know the ES has given the report. So I can’t say anything about it now,” he said.
