The residents of Daba community – a suburb of Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of Kano State, are lamenting poor and inaccessible road networks that connect their domain with the rest of the communities in the area.
Daily Trust on Sunday gathered that a river covering a large landmass passing through the road that links the village with its neighbours has cut off business activities, subjecting the residents to untold hardship as they go about their daily affairs.
The people of Daba are largely farmers who produce perishable food items and grains. But the main farm produce in Daba is carrot which is produced in very large quantity.
The lack of good access road remains a major concern for the people of the area. They are not smiling as they keep hope alive praying that one day their suffering will come to pass.
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It was observed that a large river from Tiga and connecting with Wudil river has been an obstacle as one will have to board a local canoe to cross over.
Similarly, the road leading to the River from Dawakin Kudu is not passable, as it is dusty and filled with potholes.
Speaking of their situation, a farmer and resident of Daba, Manya Dan Ali, said they usually face series of problems, especially when they harvest their farm produce and want to take them to the market.
“We face a lot of problems when we harvest carrots or onions and want to take them out to the market. We have to go through Bunkure, Gwamma and other communities before we arrive at Zaria Road through Rano Local Government Area. What connects us with that local government?
“If you come back through this side from Baradai, Yadiya, Kumurya and Garanga, before you take out your goods, you would travel about 50km.
“Secondly, the roads are not good. Most times, the drivers transporting the goods will have to come to us, collect or buy sacks, fill them with sand and patch the roads, if not they cannot pass through when they load goods.
“We are appealing to the authorities concerned to come to our aid and please help fix the road. It will help us a lot and also improve our economy as farmers.”
He added that the problem affects everyone especially pregnant women and the sick as casualties have been recorded in the past while others go to the extent of giving birth on the road.
“Talking about this river, it connects so many communities that everyone will have to pass through it. And when there are not enough canoes, that’s another trouble.
“The worst part is when transporting a pregnant woman to the hospital or any other form of emergency. We have witnessed loss of lives and women giving birth on the road.”
Also speaking, Sarkin Ruwa, Dabar Kwari, who’s in charge of the canoe business, lamented over the poor condition of the canoes and the challenges associated with the business of conveying passengers to and from Daba.
He explained that the problem persists especially during the rainy season as crossing the river becomes a big challenge.
“When the rains are heavy, we can spend at least an hour and half to cross over. It’s very challenging and at the same time difficult for us and for the people trying to cross over.
“In the entire Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area, there is no community that produces farm products like Daba. If Daba fails, it is not only the local government that will be affected but the state and other parts of the country will feel it.
“Look are the canoes, they are all locally made and are worn out. None of them is working how it’s supposed to. They have no engine and they are all leaking, if you look closely, you can see so many places patched already. Each costs over N300,000. Everyday, we do at least six trips.
“We load a minimum of 25 passengers per trip and they pay N100 each. If I am boarding like three tricycles, then I will have to reduce the number to 20 people.”
Daily Trust on Sunday met at least seven females with their children by the side of the river waiting for the canoe’s arrival to convey them to Daba village.
A resident, Murja Salisu, said they are used to it even in times of emergency, they have spent more than an hour.
“We were here since an hour ago waiting for the canoe to arrive because it takes at least 30 minutes to cross and load passengers again to come back.
“When it gets to the other side, they have to wait to get enough passengers before they come back thereby wasting more time again.”
Aside from the challenges and trouble of crossing the river, the situation has given birth to a new business opportunity for commercial motorcycle riders who camp a few kilometres away from the river to convey passengers to the neighbouring communities.
This is also the same on the other side of the river. One can see no fewer than 10 motorcyclists waiting for those in need of their services.
Some of them said that despite being their source of income, they don’t enjoy the situation as it affects them all, including families and relatives.
“We are always here day and night as part of our daily hustle to support ourselves and others but we don’t find joy in doing that,” said Shu’aibu Musa.
