GRA: government 'reserved' or 'rejected' area

If you told anyone that you lived in a GRA (government reserved area) in Nigeria, you'll probably be accorded some degree of respect, believing that basic amenities such as constant power supply, good roads and networks, beautiful houses, etc., are available in the area. But the irony is that some areas ascribed with that nomenclature are actually 'government forgotten' or, better yet, 'government rejected area' because of the neglect in the area. My neighborhood actually fell in the category of the'rejected' area except for about a month ago when a swift turnaround occurred.

First, my area could also be called a GRA because of the caliber of personalities in the area and the beauty tips taste houses. I am not at liberty to disclose the identity of the neighborhood, but people that have served in top-ranking positions in society live in the area. In fact, some houses have tall fences, and you could see tall trees showing off beyond them. And yes, there is a school just about five houses from my compound. The first major cause of the road problems I could identify was the absence of a good drainage system, except for my compound and a few others. This was only sectional and could not salvage the heavy floods from rainfalls. The terrain on the street was terrible and worse off during the rainy season. Perhaps if I moved out of the area, it would be because of the bad road.

Walking from the main junction, which is tarred, takes about seven minutes, and oftentimes, you have to select safe areas to tread. When it rains, the ground becomes slippery with pockets of stagnant water that have the capacity of breeding black and voracious mosquitoes. Taking a motorcycle is equally dangerous due to the meandering on the road. Safe to say that, it's better the individual does a careful walk on the road, especially when it has not rained.

My car absorbers suffered the most, especially since I drive often, except for recent times. If my car could voice out, I'm sure it would have done so long ago. The car gave unusual sounds while trying to navigate my way around. The neighborhood (without consultation with my compound) made an arrangement of big gravel and started poring this in different portions of the road. It was a fair attempt but rather worsened the situation as the noise from my car worsened and I began to dread bringing the car home. The worst situation is when I am in a haste and, without compromising, enter into the terrible terrain, knocking myself hard and rough.

Just like in times past when no information reaches my compound about happenings in the neighborhood, we noticed a transformation. Artisans came to the neighborhood and dug drainages, which were later concreted. I took the courage to ask someone I knew around about who sponsored the road construction, and I was surprised to learn it was courtesy of the state government. My assumption is that someone with connections may have brought about the road construction, but on a second thought, the governor is on an urban development spree and may have remembered the neighborhood.

It has been challenging having to navigate my area without my car, but I have found it equally relieving as regards the purchase of fuel, which has been skyrocketing. Also, I have used the opportunity to take walks to and from the house. My prayer and hope is that the construction is not left half done like many abandoned projects in Nigeria. and once the road is tarred, I'm envisaging an increase in the rent. That's Nigeria for everyone.

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Thank you for reading. I would love to have your comments and contributions.