By Hosea Parah
The residents of Dutse Baupma in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed for street lights to improve security in the community.
The residents made the appeal in separate interviews on Saturday in Abuja.
It was observed that the major streets in the community were dark, while some existing street light poles were not functional.
It was also observed that some business owners relied on generators and solar-powered lights for illumination.
A farmer, Samson Barde, said the absence of functional street lights at night posed a security threat to residents.
Barde said the darkness provided opportunities for criminals to operate in the community.
“We need street lights in our area because their absence is costing us a lot. Once it gets dark, people commit all kinds of atrocities because no one is watching, and it is really sad,” he said.
Another resident, Bitrus Habila, said streetlights would enable residents to monitor movements within the community at night.
Habila appealed to the government to provide streetlights to protect residents from criminal activities.
Similarly, a trader, Deborah Saleh, said streetlights would boost businesses by allowing traders to operate later in the evening.
“If streetlights are provided, my business will thrive more because I will be able to sell even in the evening.
“As it is, once it is 6 p.m., I close and go home, even though I wish to stay much longer and continue with my business,” she said.
The community leader, John Kuyambana, urged the authorities to urgently intervene to address the challenges facing the community.
Kuyambana also appealed for the construction of access roads and a pedestrian bridge at Tiber Junction to reduce accidents.
“We appeal to the government to construct a pedestrian bridge at Tiber Junction,” he said.
He explained that an average of three accidents occurred there weekly, as vehicles often lost their brakes and crashed into pedestrians attempting to cross the road.
“A pedestrian bridge will greatly reduce these accidents and save lives. We also appeal for access roads in the community to ease movement and support residents’ economic activities,” he said.