Cleaning Drainages to Save Road in Kabayi and Aso Communities in Nasarawa State: A Call to Action

In Aso and Kabayi, two vibrant communities within Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, a critical threat looms over our roads and our safety: blocked and poorly maintained drainage systems. As the rainy season approaches, the risk of flooding, road damage, and loss of life increases when drainage channels are neglected. It is time for united action between government and citizens, to restore, protect, and maintain our drainage networks for a safer, cleaner, and more resilient Kabayi and Aso communities.

What is at stake?

1. Flooding and road deterioration: Blocked drains cause water to pool on roads, accelerating pavement damage, pothole formation, and road collapse, as is witnessed between Dunamis church and the Sancta Vigo school, and the Melvino Junction and the Double Fueling stations area.
2. Public safety risks:Flooded streets impede emergency services, trap pedestrians, and expose residents to water-borne diseases.
3. Environmental and health impact: Stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for vectors and pollutants, undermining community health and sanitation.
4. Economic burden: Repairing damaged roads strains local budgets and disrupts daily commerce and mobility.

A call to action for the government

The government whose major responsibility is welfare security of the citizens should embark on the following measures without hesitation

1. Prioritize drainage assessment and maintenance:
2. Conduct a comprehensive survey of Kabayi and ASO drainage networks to identify blockages, silt buildup, and structural weaknesses.
3. Establish a regular maintenance schedule (quarterly or after heavy rains) to clear debris and ensure free-flowing channels.
4. Invest in drainage improvements:
5. Design and implement improved drainage layouts where current systems are inadequate, with sufficient capacity to handle peak rainfall.
6. Consider lined channels, inlet protection, and trash traps to reduce future blockages.
7. Allocate and monitor resources: Provide dedicated funding for drainage cleaning, with transparent reporting on expenditures and outcomes.
8. Involve local contractors, community-based organizations, and ASO and Kabayi leadership to ensure timely interventions and accountability.
9. Strengthen emergency response and resilience: Develop rapid response teams to clear blockages ahead of heavy rains.
10. Create early-warning communications to inform residents of potential flooding and road closures.

A call to action for the people of Aso and Kabayi communities

1. Keep drains free of waste: Do not dump refuse, plastics, or organic waste into gutters and drainage channels.
2. Organize neighborhood cleanups and establish waste-collection points to reduce local pollution.
3. Participate in maintenance initiatives: Volunteer for periodic drain clearing events and report blockages promptly to local authorities.
4. Support community monitoring groups that track the condition of drainage systems and road interfaces,
5. Practice rain-ready habits: Prepare for heavy rains by securing properties, ensuring proper drainage around homes, and limiting water runoff that can overwhelm public drains.

Closing appeal

Aso and Kabayi roads and drainage are shared assets that reflect our collective responsibility and shared future. When government, the people of Kabayi, and the ASO communities collaborate through planning with purpose, funding with accountability, and acting with urgency, we safeguard lives, shield our roads from preventable damage, and create a cleaner, healthier environment for all residents.

Let us mobilize now, together, we can turn the tide and protect our roads for today and generations to come.

A stitch in time, safes nine.

– Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon writes from Abuja.