By Correspondent in in Lokoja
Unable to stomach the heavy dust that has enveloped the Gadumo quarters of Lokoja,kogi state any more, due to the ongoing reconstruction of the 17-kilometre Ganaja road, residents of the area have cried to Governor Yahaya Bello to save them from possible health hazards.
This, they urged, the Governor could do by prevailing on the company handling the reconstruction to embark on urgent wetting of the road as well as hasten the work.
Many of the residents gave the advice in separate interview with the correspondent of The Reporters,an online publication in Lokoja on Friday.
They also called on the state Commissioner for Works and Housing, Engr.A. Ohere to render helping hand in instructing the company to begin wetting the road.
Messrs Mathew Atadoga, Simeon Salami, Abdulkareem Abdulhadi, Mrs Janet Olayemi, Muhammad Ahmad and Oricha Isah among others, described their plight in the forceful inhaling of thick dust, sequel to the reconstruction of the road, as simply said than imagined.
“You can imagine a situation where by dust has become the most unwelcome visitor in your house, as far environmental hazard is concerned.
“You continue to inhale dust right at the centre of your house with all the dangerous substances that could cause you health hazards, now or in the nearest future. This is besides your properties that have so been dusty to your utter detest,”Atadoga lamented.
Abdulhadi, whose house directly faces the road, also bemoaned what he described as the “nasty dusty life” he and his family had been subjected to by the reconstruction of the road without wetting it.
Mrs Olayemu said:”We are grateful to the government for reconstructing the road, but the fact that the company does not factor in the issue of wetting the road, thereby subjecting us to untold dusty atmosphere;with the attendant health consequences, leaves much to be desired.
“We are begging our Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello and his Commissioner for Works to please in the name of God order the company to commence wetting the road. The dust we are inhaling is injurious to our health.
“We are particularly worried that apart from the removal of tarred portion of the road from Total filling station upto Aniebo Housing estate, nothing has been done to commence further work on that axis, thus leaving thousands of residents with dust to content with.
“The same dusty atmosphere is being witnessed from 200 Housing junction close to the bridge between Lokoja Local Government Area and Ajaokuta Local Government Area of the state,”she said.
In his contribution, Isah said, “If the company can wet the road at least twice daily, it won’t be out of place, to reduce the dust and effectively check its threat to public health among other inconviences.”
According to medical experts, dust particles,lsmall enough to be inhaled, may lead to irritation of the eyes. coughing and sneezing among other health complications.
Our correspondent reports that reconstruction of the road commenced toward the tail of 2020.
