... Appeals for attention!
Kingsley Abavo (Managing Editor), Benin
The people of Urokosa Nowa Village, Uhunmwode Local Government Council Area of Edo State, have cried out over successive governments neglect and abandonment.
A group of journalists including the hilltopnationaleng.blogspot.com reporter, were at the Village recently for an on the spot finding of the prevailing situation.
Johnson Oghagbon, Odionwere (most elderly and Headship) of Urokosa Nowa Village; led his people to talk to the media.
Their story was that of heartbroken lamentation of long time neglect; and abandonment by successive governments of Edo State until now.
Though Urokosa Nowa is entirely an agrarian settlement; one of the food baskets in the State, nothing indicating government presence apart from the primary school which unfortunately has only four teachers including the head teacher, and where pupils still sit on the bare floor to take lectures in the 21st century and computer age.
"There are no chairs and tables for the pupils."
The only access road in the Village which was said to have been constructed by the natives through local means before it was taken over by Samuel Ogbemudia's military leadership; has since been abandoned by successive governments until now.
The road has two bridges which are in a very bad state having defiled all efforts deployed to make it useful by the natives.
It now poses danger to users who risk falling into the river in any attempt to pass through.
In 2011, one of their sons; Cyril Iyamu when he returned home; his car was said to have fallen into the river while trying to cross the bridge.
After the bad experience, he used his own resources to fix it to the state it is and we have been managing it ever since that way, the people said.
Odionwere Oghagbon laments that the Village of Urokosa Nowa and her people are seemingly forgotten and abandoned by successive governments as if they are not part of Edo State.
"We have been suffering from untold neglect in this Village yet; in-spite of the continued outcry for attention, not even one Government from the past until now has bothered to come to our aide.
"No health centre in Urokosa Nowa Village; the people travel to Benin to seek medical attention or resort to the use of native medicine when they fall ill."
Appealing to the Governor Obaseki's administration to remember them as part of Edo State, Odionwere Oghagbon asserts Urokosa Nowa Village is famous for its agricultural prowess hence one of the food baskets of the State.
But unfortunately, there is no motorable road to haul out farm produce from the farms. Especially during the rainy season, Urokosa Nowa Village is completely cut off from the outside world, he cried.
Imafidon Osakpamwan acting on behalf of the youths' Head, corroborated the Odionwere and elders' narrative.
He laments that in the modern world of today, Urokosa Nowa people resort to self help using local farm implements; cutlasses, hoe and shovel to keep the access roads in a manageable state.
This situation, he said adversely reduces the prices of farm produce; their only major source of livelihood and negatively impact on their quality of life.
"Here in Urokosa Nowa we have not started the sale of land, we are entirely into farming; no other source of income but we are peaceful people.
"We will be forever grateful if the Godwin Obaseki led administration could make us have a sense of belonging by at least; fixing some of these challenges for us before leaving office."
Continuing; Amiyekeagbon Joel Oghogho, secretary to the Village, spoke in the same vein!
"The last time we had a ray of hope that the Government was coming to our aide was when Adams Oshiomhole came here to campaign for his second tenure in office.
"He stood by the river and did not only promise but swore to ensure our access road and bridges got the attention of the Government for construction. But unfortunately, here we are; abandoned and still waiting!"
The people passionately appeal to both the Local and State Government to help change the negative Infrastructural story about them.
"We are entirely cut off from the outside; no electricity, road, health care is zero and the only primary school we have is in a sorry state; no teachers and pupils sit on the floor to take lectures.
"We should not be treated as outcasts for no crime of our own; we are part of Edo State hence the appeal!"
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