Guyidna, Angwan Rogo communities reconnected by bridge

Guyidna and Angwan Rogo communities are in the Idu Industrial Layout in the Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory bound by cultural affiliation. The two communities are predominantly Tiv peasants and are headed by one village head, Chief Michael  Agashi.  The communities share a lot in common until four years ago when the […]

Guyidna and Angwan Rogo communities are in the Idu Industrial Layout in the Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory bound by cultural affiliation.

The two communities are predominantly Tiv peasants and are headed by one village head, Chief Michael  Agashi. 

The communities share a lot in common until four years ago when the rail line from Idu to Abuja Central Area separated them.

However, the recent construction of a pedestrian bridge by the construction company, which has reconnected the communities, is being lauded by the residents. 

Chief Agashi said he was the first man that came to live in Guyidna over 40 years ago and that he met with the indigenous Gbagyi who gave him land to farm on before other people began to join him. 

He said the construction company had been good to them and that they really appreciated all its effort.

One of the residents, Mr. Gabriel Beeku, who has been resident in Guyidna for 15 years, said it was a big problem when the rail line divided the communities.

“We were used to living together as a family. When the rail line was constructed it became difficult accessing each other. However, we thank God that help soon came when we laid our complaint and the construction company deemed it fit to construct a pedestrian bridge that now links us again,” he said.

Beeku added that the communities were facing many challenges which made life difficult for them. 

He said, “There is no potable water here. Our women and children go far to the only available stream to fetch water.”

Beeku said the communities have been neglected because they do not feel government’s impact in anyway despite residing in the FCT, adding that the worst thing was that they were not recognised during elections as, “no politicians come here to campaign. We don’t have a PVC registration centre or polling unit.

“We have made efforts to reach the Municipal Area Council for help on most of these issues but they said we were here temporarily and there was nothing they could do about our requests.”

Another resident, John Aghe, said the road leading to the communities was in a sorry state, explaining that it became worst during the rainy season thereby making it difficult for them to ply it.

He said the closest hospitals to them were the Federal Staff Hospital and the General Hospital in Gwarinpa, which took between 45 minutes and one hour to get there. 

“When our women go into labour at night, we have to start looking for vehicles to charter at exorbitant prices or go to a private hospital here. Some people also make use of the Kuchigoro Health Centre,” he said.

A resident of Angwan Rogo, Mrs. Precious Igba, said providing a police outpost would help safeguard lives and property in the communities, adding that despite their stay in the area being temporary, they are Nigerian citizens.

The village head also disclosed that they have never had any government school – both primary and secondary – adding that their children attended private schools which had limited structures and facilities at exorbitant rates. 

He lamented that his farming activities had suffered since development started in the area, explaining that his melina trees were cut down without compensation for some structures.

Agashi also said some houses were demolished without compensation thereby leaving affected residents stranded.

His son, Austin Agashi, lamented how he was treated when his house was demolished. 

Austin said, “They pay compensation of N42,000 per room, but in other communities they paid N150, 000 per room. 

Although not everyone in Guyidna is privileged to have power supply, a resident of Angwan Rogo, Rose Odufu, said they were privileged to enjoy electricity courtesy of a company situated close to the community.

She reiterated that the communities were facing security threat, which made them entertain fear.

Odufu said she was a victim of a robbery attack about a year and three months ago when she rushed to the hospital to deliver.

She said when she got back home she found that her house had been burgled.