Community Report: Alada Development Association Appeals to Kwara Gov to Fulfill 2020 Promise on Canal Destroying Lives, Properties

Our ancestral homes have become a death trap due to this Canal – Dr Abdulrasheed Alada Muhammad, President Alada Development Association

The residents of the Alada Community, located in the Pakata Area of Ilorin West Local Government, have expressed their deep frustration and disappointment with the Kwara State Government regarding the neglect of a crucial canal system that has led to numerous hardships, including homelessness and the destruction of property worth millions of naira within the community. This alarming situation has prompted the Alada Development Association to voice their concerns, emphasizing the urgent need for government intervention.

In an interview with our correspondent in Ilorin, Dr. Abdulrasheed Alada Muhammad, the chairman of the Alada Development Association, acknowledged the commendable efforts of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq in undertaking various urban renewal projects throughout the state. However, he earnestly urged the governor to honor a promise made back in 2020 when he visited the community to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the canal’s dire condition. “It is painful to see that despite our relentless efforts—sending letters and appeals to different government agencies, the Governor’s Office, the House of Assembly, and several other platforms for assistance—all have yielded no results. Our community has transformed into a death trap for many of us, particularly during the rainy season,” Dr. Muhammad lamented, his voice trembling with emotion. He highlighted the plight of residents, including the chief imam of the community, who have been forced to abandon their ancestral homes due to the canal’s encroachment.

Adding to the call for action, the Chief Imam of the Alada Community expressed gratitude to the executive governor of Kwara State for his vision and initiatives, yet he also echoed the sentiments of his fellow community members regarding the ongoing struggles caused by the canal. “This issue has been a longstanding problem for our community, and we desperately plead with the government to intervene and alleviate our distress,” he said, invoking prayers for the peace and stability of the entire state.

Mallam Abdulrauf Bayo Iyanda Alada, the General Secretary of Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria, also stressed the necessity of raising awareness about the urgent drainage issues facing the community. He pointed out that previous attempts to engage the state government on this matter have been unsuccessful, further urging them to prioritize a solution especially following recent road rehabilitations in the area. “During heavy rainfall, erosion from Adewole and other surrounding communities accumulates in the Alada environment, exacerbating the risk to lives and properties as the drainage systems are inadequate to manage the influx,” he explained. He reminded the governor of his commitment expressed during his 2020 visit, where he pledged to implement long-lasting solutions to these challenges.

Moreover, one of the prominent women leaders in the community, Hajia Salamatu Alada, voiced the urgent need for immediate government intervention in light of the deteriorating situation. “Our husbands have become homeless due to the canal, which has devoured a significant portion of our homes,” she pleaded. “We are calling on our governor to please come to our rescue, as we can no longer continue to live in fear and uncertainty after suffering for so many decades.”

The people of Alada Community remain hopeful that their appeals will finally lead to meaningful action from the state government to address this critical issue and restore safety and stability to their lives.

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