Running stomach in Abuja

At the height of the face-off between business moguls Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola over the AP affair, the former was invited to the National Assembly to give evidence on the matter. Afterwards, he told pressmen that he honored the invitation out of the immense respect he had for the lawmakers, because according to him, he had a ‘running stomach'.

For Dangote, a ‘running' stomach in Abuja is a minor irritant because he can afford the do his ‘biological' business at any of his homes or 5 star hotels in the city. Even our Senators would have gladly let him do his business at their chambers. And if he chose to do it at the Villa, there would have been little objection. After all, he just ‘dropped' a billion naira into Madam Turai's kitty.

But what about the average resident or visitor to the city who is afflicted with a case of ‘running' stomach? Many of the city's dwellers can hardly point out the locations of public conveniences, and visitors, even less. So it would be a tragedy of major proportions to eat something disagreeable in Abuja; if that happens, and your stomach decides to give you the runs, you better get running!

The quick-thinking may walk into any public office or even bank, pretending to have business there and smoothly ask for the convenience. But many people who reside outside the city and come in everyday to earn their living just find the nearest bush (and oftentimes, just off the main roads) to do their ‘business'. Taking a stroll in some parts of the city can be an ordeal; your sense of decency is insulted and your sense of smell assaulted by assorted smells.

Abuja, just two years ago was a model city. Now it is becoming a huge ‘crap yard'. You may not agree with former minister el-Rufai, but no one can deny that he did what he was appointed to do (which is more than we can say for most public servants in this country). Without his monumental efforts in cleaning up Abuja and restoring the master plan, the city would be a jungle today. Maybe foreign embassies would have started relocating to Ghana.

But as is usual with Nigeria, rather than continue from where he stopped - perhaps we would have gotten to the level where public conveniences, pedestrian bridges, multi-level car parks and other common infrastructure would dot the city now - the succeeding minister embarked on Operation Abuja Boulevard

Typically emblematic of the policy inconsistency of government in Nigeria, the last minister of the FCT, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo embarked on the Abuja Boulevard as his major mantra. He went about it with prophetic zeal and even got the Federal Executive Council to approve the commencement of the project. Banks, financial institutions and institutional investors mobilized to participate in what, ultimately would have been one of the largest public-private partnership projects in Nigeria.

No sooner was he relieved of his job did the project disappear from the radar. Since the change of baton at the ministry, not a word has been heard from the current minister. Was the project personal to the former minister? Has the project been removed from the Abuja Master plan along with the former minister and chief proponent?

At least, Dr. Modibbo had a dream. Who can tell what the vision of the present administration is? Beyond the normal rhetoric of political office holders, the public has no idea about what direction Abuja is heading. Perhaps, the FCT minister is emulating the Recluse of the Seven Points without an agenda. Too well, you might say.

The fact of the matter is even those who lost property knew deep in their hearts that Abuja became a better place to live. That is the kind of price we must be ready to pay if we demand a better society. Not all soldiers who go to war come back alive, but their sacrifice would ensure the security of the living. That analogy applies to Abuja.

So for those who made painful sacrifices and even ordinary residents, to see Abuja falling into rot and decay once again is a sobering sight. Of what use is a ten lane highway into a city where you cannot take a stroll for fear of ‘biological' warfare, or where you have to beat Usain Bolt to cross a street?