Some of these villages have connection to the basic amenities that are enjoyed in the cities due to their strategic locations while for some other villages, it is a tale of neglect.
For a village like Gamade in Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State located about 43 kilometres to Abuja, the story has been that of a village, which has never felt the presence of any government in its community since its existence.
Gamade, though a small community of peasant farmers, is an eye sore surrounded with practically nothing worth applauding. The unavailability of basic amenities in Gamade such as schools, pipe borne water, electricity, and clinic cannot be ignored considering the location of the village.
Speaking to Aso chronicle, Saidu Sarki, who succeeded his father as the village head of the community, said they migrated from another village called old Gamade to its new location over 30 years ago and since the inception of the village, government have not done anything for them.
“Government has never done anything for us in this village, we have no light, no school, no good water and clinic. We only see politicians during election period, they come and make promises, keep us under sun to vote for them, when they win, we don’t see them again” he stressed.
It was gathered that due to unavailability of school in the community, the children go as far as Sabon Gari, a nearby community on foot to attend school.
In terms of health, they also go to Sabon Gari or Keffi for ante- natal for their health needs.
Saidu stressed that the village has a locally dug well that serves their water needs but usually gets dry during dry season and thereafter left with no option but to go a long distance usually with a bike to fetch water from the stream which is not usually too good.
He also spoke on the challenge of insecurity. He said the village being close to the express way, is exposed to thieves, who sometimes break into people houses when they have gone to farm.
“I am also a victim of such, they break into my house while we were at the farm and packed all my wife’s clothes,” he added.
