By Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
Global warming may seem abstract to many but for some, it is already at their backyards.
This may be the case of Pegi Community In Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja which is inaudated with indiscriminate dumping of refuse by residents who say their problem is that government has forgotten them and nothing other than the naval barracks depicts government’s presence.
A visit to Pegi community, which is a resettlement for inhabitants of Idu, Gwagwa Karemo which was demolished in 2005 by the Nasir el Rufai led administration with the sole aim of the making life better for residents and taking them away from the slum, will show a problematic environment where the soil are hard, cracked and dusty.
Residents are debunking the claim that the aim of the resettlement was to better their lot as according to them, it is not the case for the situation has remained the same and the community and its inhabitants have been suffering with no road, no basic amenities, infrastructural development, security, and the most worrisome, environmental degradation.
Mrs. Jane Ikelionwu said she has lived in Pegi for 13 years hoping that one day it will be better but the case has remained the same.
She implored government to send them refuse evaluators like they do in other communities in the FCT so they can leave them in one place with hope that they will be evacuated.
For another resident, Mr. Isaac Taiwo, they have always been their own government so are now used to doing their things by themselves as they have dealt with environmental issues and other infrastructural challenges by themselves since the relocation in 2005.
He said apart from a Non governmental Organisation that had been coming to give lectures to residents on how best to dispose of their dirts, they have been entirely on their own and reminded residents to always be mindful of the dangers of global warming and do the needful.
Pastor Alex Chukwujindu, lamented that in spite of the self help activities, they are still experiencing serious environmental hazards especially without government ‘s intervention while Reverend Fidelis Ogar, was full of praises for the NGO that always remembered them especially for the latest donation of 20 waste bins which he said will ease the indiscriminate dumping of refuse witnessed in recent times
On his part, Barrister Chyma Anthony who donated 20 waste bins to the community expressed joy that he had the opportunity of touching lives, meeting them at the point of their needs through Pegi Community.
He said he witnessed first hand the plight of Pegi residents through his friend who lived there and was moved to donate the waste bins because of his desire to ensure sound health for all.
