STATE OF THE CITY

Within the week, I had the opportunity to travel through some major cities of Abia and Rivers State and I had to wonder, am I sensing a similarity/characteristic between these two states?

The first year I went to Abia State was in August 2011, I was highly disappointed with the aesthetics because, of all the South-Eastern (Ibo) states in Nigeria, Abia State was the least in terms of Infrastructural development and outlook. I was shocked when I observed that the only good/tarred road I could vouch for was Aba/Port Harcourt road which is a Federal road. I could remember the street lights were being overwhelmed by weeds/grasses, no wonder they actually of no use at night. I could remember the major roads in the State capital were in funny batches and the streets were nothing to compare with. If I was in a rural area, I would have observed all that. But I actually went to the State Capital. Honestly, a Warri guy would say, “Umuahia fell my hand”.

In March 2014, I visited Abia State, this time Aba, OMG! ‘I could not shout’. It was close to the Umuahia I met in 2011 but this worst because the only word to describe is, “dumping ground’. Those days in high school, we will call it “Silo or Silo dump’. Funny enough, when I look up the word Silo, it has no relationship with refuse dump. Lol! Whoever came up with the use of that word, my Alma mater I hail thee. Before I deviate, every street and empty land were used for refuse disposal to the extent the blocked drainages are throwing the dirt back to road. The roads were bad and covered with pot-holes even the residents and road users are used to that. They really know how to maneuver the roads.

Recently, I was at Aba again, its still the same sight, dumps and bad road. Anyway those are discussion for another day because I am not discussing Abia State today; I am only checking the relationship between the aesthetics of Abia State and that of Rivers State. I would not want to use that term but presently, the streets, roads and empty lands in Port Harcourt is gradually surpassing that of Aba. Waste disposal/removal was one aspect I would give Kudos to the past Rivers State administration. It was really like magic, as if the workers were paid upfront or motivated in some ways because waste disposal was managed judiciously. Barely a week to hand over, how far?

Please don’t get me wrong, I am not judging or crucifying anyone here but there are some obvious dirty linens that should not be washed or spread outside. At least arrangement for refuse disposal should have been a priority. People consume and create waste everyday and you don’t expect them to pack them in their waste bin forever or pack it into their garage until a bill or budget on waste disposal is approved.

This eye sore is so bad that the road some of the express way between Eleme, Oil mill and Aba has been taken over by refuse. Road users are left with dragging the lanes with refuse and pot-holes. People dispose them carelessly even to major roads. This is same with our streets. The dumpsters and waste bins are overflowing with dirt, empty lands are now colonized by refuse and one bad thing with refuse is that when sweep, pack and arrange but its not immediately disposed, natural causes like wind, rain or animals have a way of scattering them back to where you started until it is eventually disposed properly.

Managing waste is like a process and until it gets to a final position, the process is not complete because you will end up doing the same work over and over again. It naturally has a way of rubbing it in everyone’s face. Everyone is involved. No one can say ‘its not my business’, because as a road user or passer-by, it gets in your way, as a resident, the oozing smell affects your health, as an indigene, it gives your place, community, area, state a bad name and as a governor of the state … I rest my case. You can help me fill in the blank space.

Please, please and please, environmental agencies, state governments, help us renew the face of our states.