By Mumini Abdulkareem
Traders and residents of Odota in llorin, the Kwara capital where the ongoing construction of Geri-Alimi Underpass is taking place have raised the alarm over the effect of dust on their social and economic well-being.
The inhabitants of the area last week embarked on a peaceful protest to the Kwara House of Assembly over their plight.
Some of the residents among whom were retired civil servants, artisans and transporters arrived the Assembly premises in annoyance during Wednesday’s plenary to complain about their ordeal.
The leader of the protesters, Alhaji Yahaya Olowo-Beki, while addressing the House Leader, Dr Hassan Oyeleke said, the dust emanating from the construction of the Geri-Alimi Underpass is creating untold hardship for them.
Olowo-Beki lamented that many of their children had fallen sick as a result of the development which he said occurred during the day time and night.
According to him, the dust is preventing the residents of the area from pursuing their economic and social activities.
The leader of the protesters attributed the constant dust on them and their property to the refusal of the contractor in charge of the construction work to wet the area daily.
Olowo-Beki called on the lawmakers to come to their rescue by inviting the appropriate agencies to always wet the ground to guarantee their healthy living.
He said residents of the area had made series of complaints to the immediate past commissioner for Works and Transport, Alhaji Aro Yahaya without any positive response.
The Leader of the House, Dr Hassan Oyeleke pledged that the lawmakers will quickly wade into the matter with a view to ensuring that the areas where the construction of the Geri-Alimi Underpassย ย is taking place have constant water to guide against the dust.
Efforts to speak with the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Works and Transport. Alhaji Garuba Yusuf-Manjo proved futile as he refused to pick telephone calls or respond to text messages sent to his mobile phone on the issue.
