I spent some time away recently.
I drove a long distance to where
I had chosen for this time away.
I realized that the trip was very
necessary for several reasons but the point of my treatise is not any of my
reasons for making the trip.
It was what I saw during the
trip.
Lagos–Badagry Expressway was
unbelievably terrible.
It is a real shame and eyesore
that the road that leads into this country from other West African countries is
in such a state.
In parts, there is no road to
speak of.
There are several excavation
sites masquerading as potholes and caverns hiding out on the road.
I made to bypass the bits between
Mile 2 till after Okokomaiko as I had been told those were the real time
wasters so my journey detoured via Iyana Ipaa, through Idimu to Igbo Elerin (or Oloyin).
An angel disguised as a bus conductor
saved me some time by letting me know construction had reached the exit point I
was heading for.
When I returned to the main road
around the area before Federal Government College Ijanikin, I almost gave up
and turned back.
The car and I were exhausted at
the constant battle to decipher what part of the road (I use the term loosely)
to attempt to hog while other road users attempted to wrestle me for it.
I used my horn copiously and also
wound down the window to glare at those I felt were not complying with my
unspoken rules of not trying to dent my car as I tried to go ahead and get to
my destination before dark.
We should all be thoroughly ashamed;
the government for allowing things to deteriorate to that level and still be
pussyfooting about fixing it, and the people for not demanding better!
Not that I know how that can be
done, I just think we deserve better!
Around Mowo where I was raised
after my father moved us from Lagos Island to Badagry in the eighties, there is
a token effort at putting some form of drainage in place.
Not a lot of work is being done
but even this little feels like very little.
The heart breaking damage to
parts of the vegetation made me shout out loud when I got to the stretch
between Mowo and Aradagun.
It seems some construction work
to attempt to connect Iworo (where the cashew plantation and Whispering Palms
is situated) to the expressway somehow. I have not gone on that road in a long
time.
Anyway, arrived at the hotel that
I hoped to stay at around 6pm and went straight to bed.
I was exhaustipated (a
condition of being so exhausted that you become constipated with exhaustion).
I had called ahead to try and
book a room at the Lagos State Chalets on the road that leads to ASCON, after
the Badagry General Hospital and was told the place was undergoing renovations.
I had rented two 3 bedroom chalets
for my friends and my Aunt when I had buried my Dad 2 years before and loved
it.
As with all things Nigerian,
there were a few problems but our chalet was right beside the water and I am
sure I don’t have to repeat how much I love the water.
I remember taking a shower the
first night we slept there and I was looking out at the water as I did and it
felt like I was swimming.
Trying to book a room, I was told they were
renovating and not taking guests so I went to the hotel where my guests stayed
during my Dad’s burial ceremonies.
Waking bright and early the following
morning, I wanted to visit my Dad’s grave as I had brought a wreath to place on
there but driving the short distance to the burial ground, I met the place
firmly locked and the padlock mocking me.
I looked around and then saw a
phone number on the wall nearby which I called and the person at the other end
assured me he could come and open the menacing padlock for me but that it would
cost me.
I attempted to reason with him by
asking (the obvious questions) if he was not a government official and if this
was not his job but he made me realize my only hope of getting to my Dad’s
grave was to agree to pay him and after I did, he showed up and even partly
redeemed his image by providing me with water to get the grave sparkly clean
like I wanted it.
After spending time there, I
drove towards the beach, and the roads did not improve even though I was now
closer to the border than ever.
I eventually made the trip to the
border at Seme and even walked like I was going across but as I did not have
my passport and have a mortal fear of security in Nigeria, I stayed firmly
within Nigeria.
I do not know how we are expected
to have any national pride in Nigeria.
I really don’t.
I used to be fanatical about her
but even I can see that it's an exercise in.....well, you call it!
What is there to love, please?
Emotionally draining, spiritually
bankrupt, and physically nondescript!
It is so exasperating to be
Nigerian.
While attempting to put my
thoughts about this trip together, like I don’t have enough to be mad about, that
Senator who assaulted a lady and was filmed while doing it came online to boast
about his ‘leadership qualities’!
I am truly stumped as to what he refers to.
Is it his ability to assault or
the lies he tried to tell to wriggle out of being held accountable for his
actions or the rudeness to the Senate committee that tried to make him seem
like he was being disciplined or the many selfies he took in court or the ones
who decided to legitimize his foolishness by giving him an award (if at all).
I want to say I am tired but that
is beside the point.
I’m still here and so, I choose to say all of this is not
the way it should be.
We deserve better!
We demand better!
For Lagos-Badagry expressway
For Lagos State Chalets in
Badagry
For Lagos-Badagry-Seme expressway
For justice in the land
Prosecute ‘youngest Senator’
Hold Nigerian Senators to minimum
standards of decorum!
This is a rant.
About how painful it is to get
away from the reality of being Nigerian.
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ReplyDeleteSis, I feel your pains. I am amaze at the way things are in Nigeria and I am more than amaze at our coping skills. Many times, I want to SCREAM. .....But where will that get me! I am coping, am I not?? I weep for this country and the shameful (shameless ) people that rule it!
ReplyDeleteThank you Buki for reading & commenting! Daily, it appears we sink deeper even though streaks of light also exist. May the light dominate and overwhelm! Again, thanks!
DeleteWao ...I read this and it felt like l took the journey along side you. Very aply described.
ReplyDeleteI too was exhaustipated...love the coined phrase btw. Must tiff and use it next time something gets on my last nerve. May your dad's soul continue to rest in eternal peace...amen.
Awww, thanks Lady G! For reading and commenting. The term is not coined by me though. I saw it somewhere or the other. I am sure we all can tiff and use it. Amen, and thanks for always being so kind.
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