I had an exhuastive experience on saturday, the 13th August 2010 as I was heading to Lokoja around 4.30 PM after a hectic day of snapshots around Okene and environs. For what has become a regular routine, I had to stop around Federal College of Education (FCE) Okene to board a cab enroute Lokoja.
The road was awash with the heavy downpour of the rain as we approached the school gate. To my awe, a long traffic jam was right ahead and smaller vehicles were hurriedly engaging in u-turn. My friend and I dashed out of the car and ran for shelter. The more we walked, the longer the traffic so, I became curious. Though I was familiar with traffic in that part of Adavi local council, the heavy jam amidst heavy rainfall that hour drove me mad.
Travellers were stranded, impatient passengers disembarked as more heavy duty vehicles joined the long queue. I took the risk of severe damage to my camera by approaching a youth who-at my friend's request- directed me to a high building and without seeking due permission from the occupants, I ascended the stairs in quick flight and flick flick, I started taking pictures.
As the rain pletted me and my camera, I captured the cause; potholes, abandoned steel junks, lack of drainages on Abuja linked Federal highway that tells a tale of abject negligence by insensitive administrators.
The pothole is right before the main gate of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Okene
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| Abandoned steel junks thrown down by an up-turned truck |
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| A heavy duty truck approaching the pothole |
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| The traffic jam |
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| Vehicles manouvering through the pothole |
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| Traffic jam around FCE gate |
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| Traffic jam around the school gate |
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| A trapped SUV prepared for towing |
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| Youth volunteers at work |
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| Adopted bush path short-cut |
A similar traffic jam experienced few weeks earlier on same spot hindered movement of students going home on holidays. Some of the frustrated students allegedly broke down in tears as the traffic lasted till dusk.
A youth in the area confided in me that plans were underway to fill the trouble spots with sands by volunteering youths from the area. The traffic has become a regular sight and is adversely affecting the socio-economic life of the people living in Adavi Local Government Area of the state.
Meanwhile, I have posted a request on Facebook soliciting volunteerism for temporary fill-up of the potholes, but my plea has yeilded no result. The people of the area continues to suffer untold hardship in the area as any attaempt to visit other parts of the community requires a 360 degree trip through Itakpe-Eika road to Okene town. As they suffer in silence, the Lokoja-Abuja axis of this notoriously abandoned highway continue to bring tears to the faces of innocent Nigerians through loss of relatives and loved ones with no thanks to Dangote Heavy-Duty trucks and their counterparts.
To add pepper to injury, the contract for the rehabilitation of the Lokoja-Okene-Auchi stretch of the road was awarded to a slow and 'Careless' construction company working at snail speed with expertise in sharp-edged, square-shaped holes cuttings on the road which has further hightened the dangers of the dreaded death trap called federal highway.
Its really disgusting,infront of a federal institution.What an insensitive Government.Roads in bad condition and they only think of jets for themselves.Even our representatives are not doing anything about it.where's is Ova(assenbly member),A.K Salihu(house of reps)Otaru Ohize(Senate) and the deputy Governor?they should wade in.so many hours are lost on this portion of the road.God would deliver us.
ReplyDeleteAbdul G
KB,please write to any rotary club around that district,they can join hands with people to do somthing.I believe they will respond.we did it in d east n believe me,well placed individuals n state govt dat wa plyn d roads wen we wa at wok helped by tru funds n supply of materials.we were rejectin money from pple most especially d govt vehicles passin by.thanks.
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