By: Abubakar LAWAL Lafia
As the strike embarked upon by Civil Servants in Nasarawa state lingers, Refuse Dump have continued to grow, taking over parts of Lafia the state capital, even as parties in the conflict stick to their guns..
Our correspondent reports that many waste bin spots in the city are overflowing with waste forcing residents to set fire on rubbish in their efforts to reduce them and decontaminate the environment.
Free movement of vehicle on affected streets have been hampered even as the pollution resulting from the burning of fefuse sites have been causing serious discomfort in the neighborhoods., with attendant health threats.
The most affected areas are Lafia East cemetery, U.A.C road and railways line linking the palace of emir of Lafia, Alhaji ISA mustapha , Rimi uku , lafia central motor park popularly called on the move Garage as well as shendam road among other places.
Some residents who spoke to national TRAIL expressed concerns over the situation occasioned by the strike embarked upon by organized labour. The strike has paralysed activities, including lack of refuse clerarance and dispossasl.
They called on the state government as matter of urgency to double efforts in negotiating with the striking workers so as to put an end to the strike for the benefits of all residents of the state especially lafia the administrative seat of Nasarawa state.
The strike also compelled many families to travel far and near in search of water for their domestic uses, even as private borehole owners have jerked up the price of trucks of water between N200 -N170.and N150 against N100 before the strike.
When visited both Nasarawa state Urban Development and Water Boards only security men can be seen around manning the locked gates, while NLC monitor.
Meanwhile residents of kilema, Rice mills along Barikin Abdullahi B.A.D. road who are the host community of Lafia water plant have been complaining as the water shortage seems to bite harder in the area.
Investigation confirmed that water supply in this community is grossly inadequate for lack of needed facilities to pump water even before the strike.
Findings further reveal that Lafia water works needs a total overhaul because the pipes expected to push water to people was laid more than 30years ago by the then former Governor of defunct plateau state late , Chief Solomon Lar with the capacity to serve only 80.000 population now the city accommodates about 300.000 people.
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