Fallen Tree:”This Is Not Govt For The People”, Community Laments , Resorts To Self Help as Environment ministry reportedly says it lacks funds to cut down 120-yr old tree.
By Ahmed Ajikobi
Following the incident that claimed two lives and left others injured in Oke Andi community in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State on Monday , the community members have lamented the refusal of the government to cut down the killer tree despite the tragedy it brought to the community.
According to them, they approached the ministry of environment to rescue the community from further tragedy by cutting down the tree, but were told by the officials of the ministry that the ministry lacked the funds to embark on the exercise.
And following the negative response from the government, the community embarked on self help to save its members from further tragedy.
Narrating the ordeals of the community over the fallen tree, a resident who identified himself as Fatai Ishola told National Pilot that members of the community had to invite Timber dealers to buy the tree.
” When we informed the ministry of environment, the Ministry of Environment said they can’t cut the tree because they didn’t have money for that.”
And consequently, he said, the community has to take up the responsibility of cutting down the tree.
” We called the Timber dealers who came to buy it at the rate of N250,000 and those that cut the tree collected N100,000 for their service.”
” After we cut off the tree, the officials from the Ministry for Environment came and told us not to sell the tree, that it belongs to kwara state government. We told them that if our people hear that statement, it can cause issue for them. So they stylishly leave the community.
“ During the incident, the Commissioner for health came, and he called their ambulance and transferred the victims to the General Hospital of Ilorin (GHI). They said they are going to foot the bill of all the victims. But they never did “.
According to him, the families of the victims have since taken up the responsibility of settling their bills, as the government could not fulfill its promises.
“ Some victims have been taken to other hospitals by their families. There is one woman whose neck was broken and we’re gathering money for her to do scan and other necessary treatment.
“ I don’t think we have a Government here in kwara. This is not Government for the people. It’s Government for the government. They can’t even pay a visit to the family of those who have died in the incident”, he lamented.
