Agatu is one of the Local Government Areas in Benue state; a state known as the ‘food basket of the Nation’ where about 60% of farm produce such as rice are produced annually.
However, despite the contribution of the Agatu community to food production in Nigeria, the community remained neglected.
Basic amenities that promote healthy living are grossly lacking in all the communities that are under the Agatu Local Government.
Lives of the people living in this area are constantly in danger of health related issues as engendered by lack of decent sources of water among other deficiencies.
It is important to note and acknowledge the importance of water to humans.
Water is essential for humans for a healthy living and in fact, it is the source of life.
It is however, disappointing that inspite to the acknowledge importance of water, virtually all the communities in Agatu lack this precious life material.
Community dwellers endure rigorous trek to dunged stream like holes miles away from their homes to get water.
These dunged holes are the only sources of water supply where they go and scoop the small quantity of water with which they survive.
This method of survival is a threat to the health of the people of the community.
It has resulted in wide spread of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea etc that have claimed the lives of many community people.
Lack of access to good health care provision made the situation even worse.
Agatu communities which include Okokolo, Abagaji, Ogwle, Ala and Akum among others lack primary health care facility.
The only health care centre built under the MDGs was never completed as the contractor handling the project abandoned it.
This makes the plight of the Agatu a multi-faceted one with more complications. Agatu communities also lack educational facility.
There is only one primary school building in the whole of the Local government area thereby making it difficult for young children from the communities in Agatu to access even basic education.
This is indeed a pitiable situation. Another critical infrastructure that is lacking is Access road linking the communities to the closest town.
This has made it quite impossible for farmers in these communities to transport their farm produce to the market.
This in effect contribute to the increased price of food items in the country thereby threatening food security.
Considering these damning situations of the Agatus, we are concerned that a responsible government will neglect such significant people.
We are concern about what the Agatu local government authority is doing with all the allocation they have received over the years.
We therefore call on the Benue government as a matter of urgency pay good attention to the problems confronting the people of Agatu and take concrete action in addressing them.
The right to a better life is a constitutional right and the people of Agatu should not be deprived this fundamental right.
Right to decent living, right to education and right to a healthy environment are some of the fundamental obligation of government to the people of Nigeria in which Agatu is one of its communities.
We call on all stakeholders to join in the campaign for a better life for the people of Agatu.
Benue Government should be responsible and live up to its obligation and support the Agatu and the people of Benue by extension for a better life.
Funmilayo Oladipupo
President, United Nigeria Peace Foundation (UNPF)
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