[Untitled] edit

Rigasa: The Forgotten Community

By: Abdulazeez Alhassan, axeexx67@gmail.com

Rigasa is a friendly environment, as opposed to some erroneous claims by some media stations, who probably lack professionalism in journalism.

  The community has the largest share in terms of economic, political and socio-economic contributions of any single community to Kaduna state. The Settlers of the community are among the top contributors of GDP to the state government.
  The community is a sub-urban settlement within a very close proximity to Kaduna metropolis, it is estimated to inhabit more than a million people. It also hosts villages- Danmani, Nariya, Makera, Mashi, Hayin Malam Bello, Sabon-garin Rigasa, Kwate, Mai-giginya, among others. More so, the community has the largest public basic school in the sub-saharan Africa, initiated by His Excellency, Nasir Ahmed Elrufai. Also, it hosts the Kaduna-Abuja train station. It is believed that Rigasa hosts important dignatries like the Chairman, Kaduna State Market Association, Air Vice Marshal Maisaka(late), Chairman Igabi LG; Former President of Universal Writers and Authors, not to mention the several associate professors and doctors who are currently living within the community.
  However, you may be stunned to hear some shocking revelations that Rigasa is backward politically, socio-economically and infra-structurally.
  It is undisputable that the community is the most populous ward in Nigeria. But one tide most disgracefully, is that it has no federal hospital, no modern market by the state or federal government, no single bank, no single company, no state or federal parastatals, and has only one primary health care center. In addition, many bridges in some major roads in the community are damaged and needed to be fixed. 
  Associations in the community had filed many reports to the former minister of environment (now minister of agriculture) who is an ally of the community since before he left the ministry of environment, but all these efforts were to no avail.
  It is very unfortunate and shameful to note that our representatives-senator, federal representative, chairman, and state representatives do nothing or little on taking the community to a promised and prosperous land. They neglect us, and consequently _beat about the bush_  in addressing the problems of the community.
  Some of our people show lackadaisical attitude towards the yearnings and aspirations of our dear community. Owing to the fact, that they cheerfully collect a peanut from the representatives. Thus, one may be right to say that their hypocrisy is galling.
  Rigasa is in dire need of banks, PHCs, and modern markets. Daura Road Drainage should be fixed, roads like Makera, Danmadami and Abuja Road need urgent attention. 
  In conclusion, it is high time everything is done to rescue our community from the strangulation of under-development and backwardness as is reflected in socio-economic, and political standpoint. We patiently _kept an eye_ on them since 1999, yet, the result is atrocious and  irreflective of our yearnings and aspirations. In this clime, we need serious representatives, not greedy and playful ones.