Sikiru M. Jimoh
1 May 2009
Years of wanton waste disposal under Karu bridge and its vicinity has rendered business activities unprofitable near Karu market along Jikwoyi in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Many residential areas around the bridge lack toilet facilities, therefore residents use the bridge as an alternative and have rendered the environment most unsightly this rainy season.
According to residents, gutters are always filled with wastes that residents accumulate waiting for the rainy season that would empty it under the bridge. Mr Dauada Hamisu a petty trader said contrary to his expectation of enjoying his rights as legal tenants, he has been reduced to a labourer.
"A gutter of about seventy metres long passes in front of my shop brimmed with waste from individual homes. Other tenants and I have worked exhaustively clearing the stretch of gutter during dry seasons." he said.
Eye witnesses disclosed further that children and adults from different homes in the neighbourhood defecate in the area at nightfall and twilight. "Traders and youths in the market have the bridge as their only toilet and use it freely on market days. Coupled with this situation, residents do not have a specific spot to dump refuse at the bridge and soon they would be dumping it at doors-step." Another trader Mr James Chibuzor added that as soon as rain started in March, breathing became a problem in the area while heavy rains that fall to the delight of FCT residents are a curse to residents around the bridge.
"We find it difficult to eat in our shops because Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) is not consistent in its clearing of refuse in the area." he added.
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