Bulou-ama, local commercial community in Warri where residents search for survival
By Tamar Soroghaye
The residents of Bulou-ama community in NPA, Warri, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta state, is presumably a small community known undoubtedly for a specific lifestyle. Over decades, a vast population has lived there for nothing but mere survival.
The Bulou-ama community is a local commercial community of its own with people living interrelated normal day to day lives, mainly striving for their daily bread while doing all sorts of trades ranging from local bars to restaurants, roasted fish popularly called “fèin-indì” (barbecue), petty trades and marine transportation.
Located along Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) expressway, Bulou-ama community is equally a location where Warri residents visit for quality local delicacies.
Since every place has its unique features, the Bulou-ama community isn’t an exception of that fact; for the residents are peaceful and cohabit easily without stress. Also, it was formally reputed for night life, but unfortunately, all those good old days have become a things of the past as a result of the current non-functional state of the Warri port.
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Recently, GbaramatuVoice team paid a fact-finding visit to the community . The visit revealed the arrowing condition faced by residents of the area. Very visibly, the people are faced with challenges such as; lack of basic infrastructures, morale decadence and lack of proper sensitization on core values of human life.
Residents of the community who spoke to GbaramatuVoice during the visit, expressed dissatisfaction how the once glamorous commercial community has become a shadow of itself. They were particularly concerned on how the community could regain its old glory.
To confirm these challenges as listed by some of the residents of the community, GbaramatuVoice team further spoke to a good number of residents.
Speaking with GbaramtuVoice crew, the residents used the opportunity provided to call on the Senator Ifeanyi Okowa-led Delta State Government, NGOs and other relevant authorities to come to their rescue.
Speaking to GbaramatuVoice, Mr Jeremiah Asiayebo, a resident, who is also a final year law student of the Igbinedion University, Okada, expressed his heartfelt concern on the non-challant attitude of youths in the area towards education and self building schemes.
He therefore appealed for government support in building a community school for the young ones; provide sensitization against the rapid teenage pregnancies, proper parenting knowledge by parents and skill acquisitions.
Jeremiah said: “I want the government and NGOs to take it upon themselves to bring well grounded instructors when providing skills acquisitions for the youths in the community because most of them in time past were quick to sell their starter packs and misused monies given to them as they were not adequately informed of the dangers of such acts”.
On his part, Mr Noah Samylo, another youth disclosed to our research team the pain and embarrassment they face when people outside their community tag the community with bad names, and as a result such impressions affects the image of their community and that of the residents.
Also, as part of his observation, he emphasized on people in the diaspora or within the country who are in positions of significance that hailed from their community to also look back and see what better ways they can render help or give back to those still living in the community.
To validate this catalogue of complaints by these youths, our team further investigated the already existing/outlined problems from other residents and came to a conclusion that these claims by the residents are true amidst other claims.
Considering this extent of severe economic setbacks these youths are faced with, the newspaper believes that it has become crucial for the state government to intervene. The Senator Ifeanyi Okowa’s led Delta State Government, NGOs and other relevant authorities including the rich and ‘mighty’ from the community to do something to save and redeem these teenagers and youths.
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