Kano Community cries out over erosion

The road is completely damaged by erosion so much so that every car owner is forced to park his car at a distance of one or two kilometers to trek to his house. Even motorcycles are unable to reach some areas in the ward. The level of erosion in the area is so high that […]

The road is completely damaged by erosion so much so that every car owner is forced to park his car at a distance of one or two kilometers to trek to his house. Even motorcycles are unable to reach some areas in the ward. The level of erosion in the area is so high that one would think it is not within the Kano metropolis. Apart from facing undue hardship to reach their homes, the nature of the dilapidation is threatening their lives and that of their animals every rainy season.

A resident who spoke on behalf of the people, Malam Suleiman Shuiabu said for decades they have been battling with the bad road and up to now they have not seen any sign that their problem could be solved. He said so many politicians including the present governor have all promised to repair the road during their electioneering campaigns but none was able to fulfill the promises made.

“When Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso went to Tungar-Dorayi ward in Gwale local government area of the state during his electioneering campaigns in 1999 the promise he made to the people was that if they voted for him, he would repair the only road in the ward which is damaged by erosion. After the election, Kwankwaso won and was opportuned to spend four years as the executive governor of the State. The governor finished his four year tenure and left without repairing the road.

When Shekarau came as the governor of Kano State and was privileged to spend two terms, he as well did nothing to assist in repairing the road. The people continued to experience hardship using the only road in their ward.

He said during the rainy season the eroded road has been threatening their lives and those of the animals, “The level of damage is making the inhabitants live in fear during rainy season. The erosion has created a wide and long ditch at the centre of the ward so that coming near it is frightening. Neither the old nor the young is saved”

He further added that sometimes they use bikes to transport patients or pregnant women to the hospital, saying it was more worrisome during the rainy season.

Another resident who spoke, Malam Garba Idi said the road was harboring so many things that could be harbouring to human life, “If you look at the road you can see that it has become a dumping ground where all sorts of things are deposited. This can be dangerous to our lives.”

He urged the Gwale local government council and the State government to come to their aid by repairing the road, “I’m pleading with the Gwale local government council and the State government to come to our aid by repairing the road for us.

Responding, the sole administrator of Gwale local government council, Alhaji Umar Inuwa Kumbotso said the council was not aware of the problem. He ordered for instant visit to assess the road with a view to mapping out strategies for its repair.

He said, if after the assessment the council sees that it was within its capacity, it would order for the repairs but if it is above their capacity, they would then involve the member representing Gwale in the State Assembly to carry the issue forward so that the house would take up the issue to see that the road is repaired by the State government.