Itua-gan, Ayetoro: Riverine Communities United By Neglect

THE story of riverine communities in Nigeria is similar: neglect by authorities, lack of social amenities, and a seeming never-ending appeal for help. While now and again, government drops little ‘packages’ of intervention, communities say they are far from enough. Is there hope the scenario could change?

For people in the coastal areas of Ondo State, cries to government for urgent assistance in tackling ecological disasters, ought to have been heard long ago. Particularly affected is Ayetoro community, established January 12, 1947 by religious leaders and celebrated for its theocratic lifestyle. In recent times, however, the place is gaining notoriety for an environmental problem: recurrent sea surge, which has already submerged three kilometres of land.

Aralu Emmanuel, an indigene and member of Ayetoro Youth Congress (AYC), who spoke to The Guardian September, last year, when the incursion hit the community, said the problem has not only destroyed properties but is also threatening the people’s existence.

Investigation shows that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) awarded an embankment project to Gallet Nigeria Limited in 2004 and paid N650m mobilisation fees for an 18-month completion. The contract was terminated after four years for non-performance and re-awarded to Dredging Atlantic for N6.5b with mobilisation fees of N2.5b in 2009.

Despite the billions involved, the situation is worse. The site, as at late last year, was a mockery of construction. Machines stood motionless and the workers’ dock was deserted. “We have not seen them in a very long time,” Emmanuel said of the workers. “The man, who got the contract has not been seen by anybody. And for the men working for the company, in the short time they spent here, all they did was impregnate our ladies, and worsen the situation.”

Itua-gan is under Amuwo Odofin Local Government in Lagos State. Typical of riverine settlements, it is lacking in infrastructural development. Its separation from Mainland Lagos by water might have helped to put it far from the radar of state authorities. Ironically, this has never stopped the stream of politicians who visit to get votes in exchange for empty promises.

The community has no electricity supply, no functional secondary school and no pipe borne water. The primary school provided by the state government lacks chairs and desks. There are no teachers on government payroll. There is no basic health centre, let alone a hospital. There is no jetty either.

A female community leader, Mrs. Eromidayo Ilawole, complained that in order to get drinking water during the dry season, the people are forced to go to the next village, which is about a kilometer away. She said but for alternative medicine, many deaths might have been recorded. Even at that, she added that some pregnant women lost their lives making the long journey to the nearest hospital whenever the complementary source of medication failed.

She said the community relies heavily on traditional birth attendants and called on the state government to establish a health centre in the area, even as she noted that previous pleas for the same had fallen on deaf ears. To access healthcare, the people flock to Apapa Local Government secretariat or travel to Ifelodun Ajeromi Local Government to visit a general hospital.

Ilawole expressed sadness that the state government becomes aware of the community’s existence only when an election is around the corner.

The Baale of Itua-gan, Chief Lot Ikuesan, also called on the local and state governments to set up health centres for the people. Besides, he asked for the provision of a town hall and potable water. He noted that boreholes sunk by the government worked only for a few weeks before they malfunctioned, adding that the government has no plans for their maintenance, and that the people lack capacity to fix them. He prayed that the community would enjoy electricity supply and street lighting.

Ikuesan also pleaded with the state government to construct a modern jetty for the area, wondering why the community was omitted when the state government constructed jetties for other neighbouring communities. He called for employment opportunities for the youths and social support for the elderly.

The Baale thanked the state and local governments for providing the community with a block of classrooms, even as he appealed that teachers would be sent and furniture made available. The community’s secondary school is currently housed in an uncompleted structure abandoned by a church.

Mr. Philip Onobras owns one of the private schools in Itua-gan. He explained that many parents default in the payment of school fees, describing the situation as a major challenge to his work as proprietor and to the cause of education in the community. He reiterated appeal to government to assist the community with basic infrastructure.

A youth leader, Mr. Akinmuleya Abiye, disclosed that there are more than 10 boreholes scattered across the community, yet none is functional, adding that the one that was donated recently by the state government waits commissioning.