Emmanuel Ukudolo
Nigeria, Sept 25, 2016 – The people of Denro in Ogun State are once again sobbing and groaning over a perennial problem.
They are groaning and sobbing because it is not a new development. It is a problem that has lived with them for ages with several representations made to the Government of Ogun State without a corresponding response and solution from government.
It is what has become known in local parlance as River Denro, which seldom overflows its banks, cutting off residents of Denro, Ogun State from their counterparts in Ojodu also in Ogun State.
Before now, River Denro, which is actually a tributary at the fringe of Ogun River had overflowed its banks at least two times during the tenure of current governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who as usual visited the area during his political campaign with so many promises.
What followed is a bridge situated between Yakoyo and Alagbole, other than in Denro where such a bridge will make sense 100 percent even to the dullest teenager leaving in the axis.
Well, the water is here and for weeks, the people of Denro will bear the brunt of the failure of an insensitive government.
Perhaps the only good thing about River Denro is the commercial angle for those living in the local community since only owners of jeeps and very high buses are courageous enough to wade through the murky, smelling water, leaving the commuters at the mercy of human horses who will ferry commuters on their back from one end of the water to the other end for N100. And they do it with a lot of fun.
“Orobo N200, Lekpa N100”, Ahmed shouted at the top of his mouth to attract commuters who have a bit of phobia for water and too willing to be carried across by the likes of Ahmed who are very eager to put them on their back for a fee.
Just by the side are vehicles parked by the side, left overnight due to inability to wade through the water.
Also affected are students and workers who have been forced to relocate away from their homes in Denro, pending when the water will recede.