ORIBA: A LAGOS COMMUNITY IN TOTAL NEGLECT

ORIBA: A COMMUNITY IN SQUALOR, SURROUNDED BY RICHES

Kingsley Momoh

Oriba is a community founded in the 1600s near Epe. It has overtime been neglected as it lack social amenities that dot the nooks and crannies of Lagos state; the centre of excellence. The government owned primary and secondary schools are dilapidated with just a teacher to teach in the primary school and the primary health care centre is without any medical staff thus the health management of the inhabitants is poor.. The community lacks portable water despite the presence of two different water projects in place which remained the way they have been since completion without supplying water. There is no supply of electricity despite the availability of 2 electricity transformers with electric poles and wires dotting the community.

Primary School

As if adding insult to the injury is the fact that the only road that could have facilitated movement in and out of the community is not a path for normal vehicles. The houses here are mostly shanties because of the impossible cost of transportation via the River from Itokin along the Ikorodu/Ijebu Ode expressway which is the only way to the community.
The King who was installed in 2005 has not received his official staff of office from the state government till date, a situation which hampers easy representation at the governor's office.

Oriba People During The Press Conference

Only Source Of Water In Oriba Primary School

It is a surprise that a community like this exists in Lagos state which is the cynosure of all other states in Nigeria. Oriba residents live like aliens in their country. With lacks ranging but not limited to clean water, electricity, access road, health care facility and functional schools.

Speaking at a press conference organized by the community the Aare of Oriba town Adesegun Hassan noted that it is no longer a thing of doubt that to the thought that Oriba village is being sidelined in the scheme of development strides going on in Lago state. The community has suffered neglect by various by previous government and he urged the present government led by his Excellency Akinwunmi Ambode to come to the aid of the community which is in Epe, the home town of the governor.

Speaking further, the chief pointed out that Oriba produces Palm kernel, charcoal, cassava, plantain among other food products which are in exportable proportions but the absence of an access road, Oriba farmers are like those who wink in the dark. He asked that if it would be to the benefit of Oriba, they should be excised to another local government and removed from Epe local government which they say has not been of any beneficial to them. He claims that Oriba which has been in existence since the 17^thcentury even before Epe has been a subject of neglect and disregard.

Oriba Primary School Building

Other speakers at the conference which included the King of Oriba, pointed out tha the traditional ruler of the village has not been officially given his staff of office since he became King many years back. They asked that the governor of Lagos state should come to their aid as they seem to have no mouth piece as a result.

They described an instance when an empowerment program was held in Epe without the inclusion of indigenes of Oriba as a recent pointer to the fact of the neglect and disregard of Oriba by Epe local government.

Going round the town, it is evident that the community is in dire need of many things to make them feel part of the centre of excellence.