John Age, a middle-aged resident of Abuja, is a sad man. His brother, Martins, a mechanical engineer, lost his life in a ghastly motor accident along the ever busy Abuja-Kubwa road at night.? Due to poor visibility, Martins rammed into a sharp object that ripped off his vehicle which killed him instantly that night, leaving behind a wife and three children at the mercy of life’s vicissitudes. Uncertainly, fear and anguish now buffet the family. For that reason, John is quick to share his jeremiad with anyone he comes across. “Four months ago, I lost my younger brother in a car accident occasioned by poor visibility. This government seems to be busy doing nothing and leaving the people to suffer unduly,” John said.
?
If John’s frustrations are not worrisome, the experiences of other road users arising from the absence of streetlight are touchy.? Most areas of Abuja where there is no streetlight serve as breeding grounds for criminals and they operate in those areas with impunity.
?
Apart from waiting at such alleys to snatch cars from unsuspecting motorists, the hoodlums also seize valuables from road users in particularly women. Benjamin, a civil servant in? the Ministry of Agriculture, almost fell prey to the criminals a few days ago when they attempted to snatch his car near a popular Hotel Junction close in the Central Business District. But Frank Ogibo, another motorist was not that lucky. He was attacked on Kugbo road by the criminals. Apart from dispossessing him of his Toyota Camry car, the thugs took away his valuable before throwing him out of the vehicles and speeding off. He managed to reach home later that night with the aid of two good Samaritans, who came to his rescue.
?
Although the absence of streetlights on other? roads, which are undergoing rehabilitation is understood,? it is not clear why many streets in the city remain without light. The problem manifests itself in many forms. In some areas, the authorities have provided the facilities, but the Power Holding Company of Nigeria rarely supplies those places with power. In many parts of the town, there are no streetlights at all. As a result of this imbalance, certain parts of Abuja sparkle with beauty and safety at night, while others cuddle darkness as an ally. The light may function in the daytime from Mabushi to Wuse II, but fail in the night at times, throwing the users of the strategic road into avoidable darkness and attendant security risks.
?
Some of the city residents suggest that AMMC should have an alternative source of power supply for streetlights and ensure that they function well. They also appeal to the PHCN to beef up electricity supply to these affected areas in order to save lives. “Sometimes, power failure is deliberate and not due to technical problems,” Timothy Ayuba claims.
?
?“The other day, I passed through the AYA roundabout and everywhere was dark,” says Blessing Eno, who is of the opinion that a monitoring body should be established to regulate street lighting in the city. But Mr Danladi Azumi wants the FCT minister to ensure that there are proper monitoring and maintenance of streetlights to reduce road accidents at night and curtail the nefarious activities of criminals.
?