By Bose Adelaja

The name Kirikiri rings bell; it is the community that houses the dreaded Kirikiri maximum security prison. But some residents of the community who are not docked behind bars, say they have become endangered species, staying in an environment akin to living in the prison yard.

Specifically, residents of Osho Drive and Yukuma Lane Kirikiri in the Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos, have raised an alarm over the environmental condition of the area. Sometime in November last year, a putrefying stench was perceived in several parts of the community after a downpour. Since that incident, it has been one sickness after another. The offensive stench was allegedly aggravated by the blocked water channel around the former mechanic village in Osho drive.

Problem started when ownership of about seven plots of the former mechanic village was transferred to a very influential person in the state who erected a fence across the water channel. The tall fence was said to have resulted in the total blockage of the channel and diversion of flood water to residents’ homes. Since the rains started, flood water coming from Kirikiri road, Berger Suya, Osho drive, Yukudima link and the adjourning streets no longer flow into the canal but into the homes of people in the community.

The flood has rendered several families homeless with property estimated at several millions of Naira destroyed in the process. After persistent pleas to the man who erected the fence to pull it down failed to yield positive results, the apprehensive residents who expect a worse scenario when the rainy season peaks, have sent a Save our soul (SOS) letter to the State government.

Despite their frustration, the residents said they would not take laws into their hands. Their representative recently visited Vanguard Corporate office with copies of the letter which the community sent to the government. The visit prompted Vanguard Metro’s on-the spot assessment of the situation. . This reporter was welcome with an offensive odour from the blocked water channel. The putrefying smell apparently attracted flies to the adjourning buildings. It was also observed that wastes from nearby streets had taken over the drainage. Vanguard Metro learnt that several children were now on the sick beds as a result of the near epidemic while adults who have things to do outside must cover their nostrils with handkerchiefs.

The residents who spoke to Vanguard Metro alleged that the Councillor of Ward 1, Ajeromi Ifelodun Constituency, Mr Mukaila Ajasa Oluwa visited the area recently but disappeared into thin air when he discovered that the contractor handling the fencing project, is his bosom friend.

Some residents who managed to relate their ugly experiences with this reporter wondered why the government turned a deaf ear to their plight. ‘’Can you see what money can do? How can an individual push a whole community into trouble and the government feels unconcerned? Only God can save a poor man in this country O!’‘ Pa Ibe Echenwa exclaimed..

An Octogenarian, Alhaji Toba Oluwa said he almost lost his life during the last flood, ‘’There was a day the rain started around 5pm and took over the entire house; my children were in school while my wife went to work. I was the only one at home and the flood prevented me from going out for three days while my wife and children could not come into the house. I stayed without food throughout the three days. Imagine what will happen when the rainy season peaks, if the fence remains like this,’‘ he asked.

An hotelier who simply gave his name as Baba Godwin told Vanguard Metro that the situation has crippled business activities in the area, ‘’The situation has affected patronage because the odour has taken over everywhere; we might lose our customers except urgent measures are taken,’‘ he said.

Effort to get the comments of the Councillor representing the ward, Mr Mukaila Ajasa, proved abortive as he did not respond to calls on his cell phone.

Vanguard Metro also made a phone call to the Manager of the property in question who simply gave his name as Mr. Emeka but he threatened to deal with any opposition to the project, ‘’The people have to look for solution to their problem, we have a property and we want to develop it. Is there anything wrong with that? I think the people are afraid, they should find solution to their problem instead of running to the media. I will block the place completely and there is nothing anybody can do. I wanted to give them some time to channel their water properly but now that they have gone to the media, I am going to block it because it is our property,’‘ he concluded.