Giri, a prominent community within the Gwagwalada Area Council, home to the esteemed University of Abuja Permanent site and the present chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Hon. Abubakar Giri, has come under the spotlight as Abuja City Journal conducted an investigative visit to assess its conditions.
Contrary to its reputation, the outer facade of Giri paints a disheartening picture. Dumpsites and dilapidated houses dominate the landscape, creating an environment deemed unsuitable for human habitation. The unkempt surroundings not only fail to match the community’s historical significance but also pose a potential health hazard to its residents. The outer community, extending from the University of Abuja Staff Quarters to the popular Giri junction, reveals a grim reality with unsightly scenes of individuals loitering aimlessly amid dirt and debris.
Venturing further into the town, the inner areas present an even more distressing scene. The pedestrian bridge connecting the upper and lower parts of the community resembles a death trap, surrounded by refuse and sewage that expose inhabitants to waterborne diseases. The road leading to the market square lacks proper drainage, exacerbating flooding during the rainy season and emitting foul odors from stagnant sewages along the roadside. Despite an ongoing road construction project from Giri Gouta Bus Stop to Giri Pasere Bus Stop, the overall well-being of the community remains in a state of neglect and despair.
During the course of their duties, Abuja City Journal correspondents faced a disturbing encounter when perceived political thugs, numbering five, attacked them in an attempt to thwart their efforts in exposing the community’s abnormalities. Passersby and the intervention of an individual known as Mai Angwan prevented the situation from escalating further.
A significant impediment to addressing these issues lies in the palpable fear instilled in the community’s residents. The council chairman’s perceived influence creates an environment where inhabitants are afraid to speak up, fearing potential repercussions from political thugs. The prevailing atmosphere of fear stifles any attempt at open dialogue about the development needs of the community.
Abuja City Journal sought insights from the SA Media to the Council Chairman on these concerns, several calls and text messages were made to him, but regrettably, no response was provided, leaving the community’s plight unaddressed. The community of Giri finds itself at the crossroads of neglect, decay, and a climate of fear, requiring urgent attention to uplift the living conditions of its residents and restore its reputation as a significant hub within the Gwagwalada Area Council.
