Viewpoint media crew visited Nyanya axis in the FCT to get people’s opinions on the state of their environment in terms of drainage system and how affordable are their houses.
Majority of the resident complained about the high electricity tariff and the frustration they usually experience during the rainy season due to flooding of the area.
Fedor Usman, a resident of Nyanya axis of Abuja and an indigene of Kogi state.
The drainage system here is not funny, as you can see all these dirt, during rainy season, the type of erosion that happens here are much and sometimes it could be devastating. Instead of AMAC to come and pack the dirt/refuse inside the waste truck, most often they don’t. We normally wait for the waste packers to come and dispose these waste for us at a cost and in the end, they still dispose them on the road.
We don’t know what the government is doing but, we want them to setup mechanism for adequate packing of the dirt and refuse in our area. The roads are bad, the environment is very rough and untidy, the government should look at it and do something to change this ugly situation.
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When you talk about the environmental standards, it’s zero because when it is available, it is not implemented. When you look at our environment, you will discover that things are not working as expected, but the good news is that we have started to take steps to where we ought to be as a sovereign Nation.
Previously, the housing situation around this area was very bad but, things has started improving gradually, because those living in these houses are trying to change them to their own taste. We don’t normally have electricity; the toilet is being shared amongst tenants. We are managing because we don’t have the money to go to town and rent houses, we have not gotten the money to feed let alone going to rent apartments of 500,000 to 600,0000 Naira.
Majority of the houses here were built by the past Government, before the monetization policy of Former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The people that acquire those houses change them to their tastes. Presently, the year rent is between N80,000, N90,000 or above.
Anonymous
These are government houses bought by individuals. The toilet here is okay but, for others, I don’t know about them. The drainage system here is bad, no proper channel for water to come through. Water flow from the compound to the outside anyhow. The government should help us by making our roads motor-able, provide us with portable water and stable power supply.
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I live in my personal house, so I don’t know if the rents are affordable or not. This area is too dirty and talking about electricity, power is a bit steady but, the bills they give us is too exorbitant and most of us cannot afford to pay our bill because of the dwindling economy situations in the country. At time they give a bill of about N13,000 Naira for just a room.
Some of people residing in this area are government workers so, what about us that are not? We are the ones suffering it. I am a Kunu seller and in a month, how much do I make? Every day, I drop 200 Naira and I cannot meet up with the 13,000 Naira AEDC bill. And if we don’t pay the bill, PHCN will come and embarrass us.
Anonymous, a resident of Nyanya and an indigene of Akwa Ibom State
As you can see, there is no government presence here. These structures you are seeing here are ancient ones, though, it was built by the past government. There has been no maintenance on them, everywhere is rot. The attention of Abuja Municipal Area Council [AMAC], the Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, the Minister of the FCT, the Councillor representing Nyanya Ward should be drawn letting them know that it is time to carry out renovation.
Mrs. Anyanwu Juliet, a resident of Nyanya and an indigene of Imo state.
Looking at our environment, it is not conducive, the buildings, electricity, in fact, everything is in a state of collapse. Things are general bad here. The blockage of drainage systems had leads to erosion because when it’s raining, everywhere will be filled with waste and refuse. You will see people dumping waste in the gutter and the whole place becomes a mess. Those that are in charge of collection of waste don’t come here to do that. If you look at my back now, you will see what I’ve been using as my waste bin.
Many people are running away from this environment because it is not conducive for human, we are not okay at all. During Obasanjo’s regime, we were asked to buy these houses and most of us have done that already. If you are a civil servant, you will be asked to pay for the house, it was sold to us on a rent to own basis.
Charles Ogochukwu, a resident of Nyanya and an indigene of Enugu state.
As you can see, the environment is in a very bad shape, we are not enjoying it at all. The infrastructures are not up to standards. The drainage system is very bad and as a result, everywhere is dirty and it leads to erosion and flooding during rainy seasons, we find it difficult to cope with these challenges.
Where I am living is a bit conducive but, not affordable. The government should do the needful and help the masses that voted them into power. I believed that they are there for us and cannot be seeing us suffering and going through all these problems and challenges, it is not proper.
So, they should provide a conducive environment for us. The issue of electricity bill like we all know, is really on a high side. They need to make it affordable for us. Likewise, rents are on the high, everyone cannot afford to own or build a house, we must start from somewhere.
The government is aware of all these and that is the reason we are all tired of complaining or crying but, we still continue to pray that God touches their minds. They should help and make this place a good environment for us.
Mrs. Florence Okebuchukwu, a resident of Nyanya and an indigene of Abia state
We are suffering here; you can see that there is no drainage system. Water flow from some bathrooms and toilets into public spaces and brings mosquitoes everywhere. We are pleading with the government to help us to address these problems.
Prince John Itodo [ASP Rtd], a resident of Nyanya and an indigene of Benue
The environment is not just conducive for human-being, you can see it for yourself. Look at this place, if they provide drainage for us, reconstruct the bad/damaged roads, reconstruct the houses and improve the environment, it will be a better place for us to reside. The place I’m living, the house I built is by far more than these, the standard cannot be compared.
Government can build better shops because the way the market is arranged contributes to the unkempt state of the environment. All roads in Nyanya are write-offs, if they can repair the road and if they don’t, things might be worst. Our road needs an urgent attention for government.
…his wife, Elizabeth Itodo
Most of the buildings in these areas are in a very bad shape; they need to be renovated, rats, cockroaches and other domestic pests are everywhere because the houses are in a dilapidated state. So, it will be good for the government to repair the staff quarters which are still under the control as well as repair the roads within the area. These houses are not meant for humans and there is no portable drinking water. The electricity is not stable and PHCN comes with a high electricity tariff, they should please bring it down for us.
Lucy Paul Abu, a resident of Nyanya and indigene of Nasarawa state
The environment is not really good, there is no good roads, things are just the way they are. Bad drainage’s, different sorts of air pollution, you can’t even breathe good air. The electricity is not stable. We really need good drainage systems. Rents are quite expensive as compared with the lack of better infrastructural facilities. The government should give us a better drainage system in order to have a clean and good environment.
Blessing Oando, a resident of Nyanya and an indigene of Abia state
Our roads here are not just good, the electricity and the youths don’t have good jobs. If the government can create jobs for the youths, it will be better as most adults are still living with their parents.
Our toilets are not good as you can see, there are some soakaways that are covered with zinc that a passerby may just fall in without knowing. The poor drainage system you see around should be something that the government should look into because of our health. The air we breathe here is not good.
Talking about jobs, government should create jobs and enabling environment for business to thrive. Some of our youths are of age and they are still residing with their parents. In a normal situation, when you are in your 40s, you need to go out and seek your own shelter than living with their parents.
Benson Simon, a resident of Nyanya and an indigene of Taraba State
As you can see the environment, we live in the outskirt of Abuja, we can call it suburb. If you check the definition of suburb, it is an outskirt normally undeveloped. The activities or present of government is hardly felt in the suburbs.
Actually, we do community work during weekends by cleaning our drainages and surroundings, though, when it rains, the whole place gets flooded due to erosion. Looking at how these places have been affected by erosion, the is need for government to come to our aid. The houses we live in here are government properties and for long, it has been without maintenance. The government need to come to our aid because the inhabitants are not finding it easy at all.
