•Heat, poor power supply frustrate citizens
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The hot season seems to be lasting longer than expected for residents of Abuja. They have begun to lament the negative effects of the “unfriendly” weather to their health and general well-being.
Everyone could feel the unpleasant nature of the weather and the hot air that saturates the atmosphere, thus making the environment unfriendly. This is not totally strange to FCT residents.
But there are indications that climate change factors might have worsened the matter, making it more harsh on the people.
The epileptic power supply or its total absence in some parts of FCT, particularly in satellite towns, made the matter worst for the residents, many of whom said they barely get power supply for complete two hours in a day.
The weather is predicted to last for more weeks to come, perhaps, till the end of April or beginning of May. The unpredictability of the climate change factors might help to extend the time frame for the heat or bring the end closer.
Yusurat, a resident of Kobi, a densily populated community in Guzape, told Daily Sun: “It’s a densily populated small community filled with poor people and families. Houses in the community are not properly ventilated neither were there spaces between each other.
“The worst is that many households channeled water from bathrooms and even toilets to the road and you know the implications to human health. Open defecation everywhere. It’s an eyesore.”
Ikenna Maduka and Adaolisa Eke who reside at Kugbo and Gishiri villages, respectively, said they were expecting the day there would be massive outbreak of communicable diseases in the community. Ikenna: “People in the community are less concerned with things that promote health and well-being of the people. How can someone be bathing and the water is settling on the doorstep of another family?
“With the hot weather, someone cannot open his or her window for fresh air because of the pollution of the air and environment. It’s a terrible experience for us. Our prayer is for elevation so we can get a decent accommodation in a decent location.”
Adaolisa: “This period has been a health threatening season for us in Gishiri community. We welcome hundreds of new visitors into the community everyday from different parts of the country to seek better opportunities in Abuja.
“Unfortunately, there’s no presence of infrastructure in the community despite its proximity to the city. That is understandable because, being an unplanned community in Abuja, eviction and demolition is inevitable. But until then, we plead for succour from the FCT Administration.”
Dr. Kosarachi Ugwu encouraged FCT residents to adopt healthy measures to escape being brought down by meningitis and other similar ailments in this “unfriendly” season: “There’s need to ememphasise that the air must be clean so that it doesn’t cause more harm to the body.
“It’s also important to sleep in a well ventilated room. This reduces the risk of coming down with meningitis particularly among children and young adults.
“Unfortunately, larger percentage of FCT residents lives at poorly planned satellite towns which makes them vulnerable to the disease.
“Staying hydrated is very important at this time of the year. It simply means drinking enough water or other liquid. Staying hydrated is very important to healthy living at this time. It has been proven that hydrated skin looks younger, smoother and healthier.
“Though, inflation might have hit the economy resulting in high cost of items including the water, but endeavour to take adequate water and other healthy fluids this season because the body requires enough of them to function well and keep you healthy.”