Minna — The death of 11 female teenagers and three
other girls on rivers Sarkin Pawa and Guni in Munya local government area of
Niger state throws up an age-long problem that would continue to bring tears to
many eyes across the state.
The only access 'road' shows why the constant boat
mishaps in Old Dan
A lonely foot path formed through decades of use by
the natives disappeared through the thick bushes and farm beds of different
crops towards Old Dangunu at a point along the worn out township road in Sarkin
Power, the headquarters of Munya local government area of Niger State.
Only a few profit-minded commercial motorcyclists
could brave the path which has become a death trap at this time with the rainy
season when visitors are handy. And the death of 11 teenage girls on river
Sarkin Power penultimate Tuesday and three others on river Guni two days
earlier have increased the traffic of government officials to the sleepy
fishing communities usually only remembered whenever tragedy strikes.
The two incidents have upped the
stake for commercial motorcyclists. Officials of the National Emergency
Management Agency (NEMA) and the Niger State Emergency Management Agency
(NSEMA) who dashed in for an on-the-spot assessment of the circumstances that
led to the death of the girls had to pack their air-conditioned vehicles at the
premises of the local government secretariat for an open-air ride on the popular
okada.
Garba Dauda, an okada rider agreed that his daily
proceeds from the business have increased since the two incidents. But it is
not really an easy ride to Old Dangunu even on motorcycles at this time of the
year. River Jatau is an obstacle every prospective visitor to the area would
dread. Its water level increases with each rainfall. "It is advisable to
avoid it any day it rains," Garba agreed.
It is also very treacherous. A visitor could behold
the sand underneath at a glance, but Garba insists its depth could drown a
10-year-old who cannot swim well. "You must also keep to particular route
when crossing," he said. A cyclist and his passenger must also cross the
stream by foot at some points.
There are also two other smaller streams to traverse
on the way to Old Dagunu with hindrances such as muddy, slippery points along
the path. But it apparently also has its attraction and beauty. The narrow path
opens up to a rich, large expanse of green vegetation and hectares of every
crop imaginable, stretching to the foot of undulating mountains on one side,
and the bank of an endless flow of river on the other. Garba said the larger
part of the farm is actually in the water having been submerged by the river.
Between the river and the mountains sits Old Dangunu
still in mourning of its many loses. It is a community of about 80 huts, most
of which are weather-beaten with a lot of visible ageing effects. It is
populated by migrant fishermen from Kebbi State. The two zinced structures in
the sleepy community are the mosque and a block of three classrooms lacking
doors and windows. It was really in the backwoods, cut off from civilization.
The men and boys sat on mats laid out at what seems
like a village square. The eldest in white caftan, Malam Muhammad Sani Kura,
apparently oblivious of activities around, stared vacantly at objects only his
mind could appreciate. He only acknowledged greetings with nods as visitors
offered their sympathies.
The Sarakin Ruwa's deputy, Lawal Saleh, told Daily
Trust on Sunday that he had buried a grandson the day before. "Salisu's
temperature suddenly rose at night but before they could take him to the
primary health care facility at the council headquarters, he had died on the
mother's back where he was strapped," he explained.
By Ahmed
Tahir Ajobe OF DAILY TRUST
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