Gadani community complains of neglect, begs govt for essential amenities

Despite their proximity to Kaduna city centre, they have been grappling with the absence of basic amenities for years.

This neglect has given rise to a myriad of challenges affecting healthcare, education, and transportation, leaving pregnant women, sick individuals, and the entire community in distress.

Healthcare Woes

The primary healthcare facility in Gadani, which serves as a lifeline to the community, is sadly inadequate. Residents lament that the facility, originally manned by a lone nurse supported by two volunteers, faces irregular staffing due to distance challenges.

Hafsat Muhammad a resident says the PHC lacks personnel because the lone nurse tries coming to her duty post daily even though she lives outside the community.

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“We need adequate healthcare personnel in the centre to take care of our sick persons, especially women and children,” she said.

Another resident Salome Luka said “Pregnant women and sick individuals endure considerable hardships as they navigate the poorly maintained roads and bridges to access medical care.”

Aminu Ali Kamale, a community leader, lamented over the security vacuum in Gadani, expressing concern that the absence of security agencies makes the community vulnerable to criminal activities.

He emphasised, “We don’t have security agencies here, and that means we are just on our own. Criminals can come here and commit atrocities unchallenged without anybody knowing.”

Educational Struggles

The educational sector in Gadani is not immune to the community’s neglect. The primary school, initially a community-driven initiative, received limited support from the state government.

The result is a school with insufficient infrastructure, including missing ceilings, doors, and windows, rendering classrooms inhospitable for learning.

Ana Musa, a resident, said, “As we speak, there is no water, no electricity, no hospital and no school. Our school was built through community effort before the government came and built two classrooms.”

Treacherous Transportation

The dilapidated road and bridges further exacerbate the community’s woes. The only bridge connecting Gadani to the city centre is in disrepair, causing significant difficulties for residents.

During the rainy season, tragic incidents, especially involving children commuting to school, have occurred. The poor state of the bridge demands urgent attention to prevent further loss of lives.

James Auta, the Village Head, bemoans the hardships endured by Gadani residents and implores the government to intervene.

He stresses the paradox of a democratic nation depriving its citizens of essential services, saying, “The only bridge connecting this community with the city centre was abandoned for years, leaving us in difficulties. We lost about four children on their way to school when they fell off the bridge during the rainy season.”

Community Resilience

In the face of adversity, Gadani residents exhibit resilience. The predominantly Muslim and Christian community has coexisted peacefully for decades, transcending religious and ethnic differences.

Even in their pleas for assistance, there is a unity of purpose, as evidenced by the collective effort to construct a temporary bridge, albeit risky, while awaiting government intervention.

Zakari, another community leader, highlights the residents’ proactive stance, having contributed to the temporary bridge’s construction.

He said, “We contributed to make the temporary bridge pending when the government comes to our aid. We are appealing to the state government to visit us and complete the road and the bridge so as to make life better for us.”

Call for Government’s Intervention

Gadani’s plight serves as a stark reminder of the disparities that persist in some communities within the state, despite being close to urban centres.

As the residents of Gadani continue to grapple with their daily challenges, their collective plea remains a simple one, the restoration of essential amenities for a dignified and secure existence.