“We have fewer trees here and therefore, the wind carries sand particles and drop part of them in our eyes. It is very painful. Children suffer most even though parents always restrict them from going out especially in the morning and towards evening,” Modu Ali, a resident of Dapchi, said.
Ya Kyallu, Ya Maina and Ya Mataram, all married women from Garun Dole, in their views, believed that apolo would persist until the rains arrive. “We use salt to wash our eyes and those of our children as soon as we notice symptoms. For instance, when eyes are getting red and painful,” one of the two women, Ya Mataram, said.
Dr Hussaini Musa, a medical practitioner, however said that it was wrong for those affected to use salt in anticipation of relief. “The best thing to do is to go to the hospital and receive treatment because salt can affect the eyes, in fact it can lead to blindness,” he warned.
Kanem Trust reports that the problem is the same in parts of Gashua, Yunusari and Yusufari Local Government Areas of the state where sand moves with supersonic speed occasioned by wind in the desert areas.
Malam Baa Babuwar of Bayamari village, said there was need for government to establishment shelter belts in the northern parts of the state, which according to him, will reduce sand erosion and desert encroachment.
