By: Oloyede David Oyewale
The gutters in Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall have been in a deplorable condition for weeks, filled with stagnant water and waste, creating an unbearable stench. The situation has become so dire that some residents can no longer sleep without the smell infiltrating their rooms, and even hanging clothes outside leads to them smelling of decay.
For Zikites, this has become a daily struggle, with the problem continuing to worsen despite little to no substantial action from the authorities. As students, Hall executives, and cleaners point fingers at one another, one question remains: who is truly to blame for the poor state of the gutters in Zik Hall?
ZIKITES’ CONTRIBUTION TO THE DETERIORATION
Several students have come forward, accusing their fellow Zikites of contributing significantly to the problem. Olakunle Gbolahan Emmanuel, a resident of Room 13 in C Block, says the habits of some students, such as discarding soap covers and other waste materials in the drainage holes, directly contribute to the clogging of the gutters. He believes that this behavior is one of the main reasons the drainage systems have fallen into such a terrible state.
“I was walking behind the block one morning when I saw human feces mixing with the water from one of the bathrooms,” Gbolahan recalls.
"It was disgusting, and it made me realize that it’s not just the cleaning system that’s failing, but it’s the behavior of the students that’s making the situation worse.”
He’s not the only one frustrated by the state of the gutters. Chibuike David, who also lives in A Block, says that the stench from the gutters is so unbearable that it forces him and his roommates to spray air fresheners throughout their room every night just to sleep.
“I’ve even considered reaching out to the hall executives to ask why nothing has been done,” he says.
While it’s easy to blame the authorities for not acting sooner, Zikites also have a role to play in keeping their environment clean. They have been accused of throwing all sorts of waste, from food scraps to soap wrappers, directly into the drainage system, blocking the water flow and causing the gutters to deteriorate rapidly.
HALL EXECUTIVES’ INACTION
The Hall executives, led by the Hall Chairman, Fadare Oluwadamilare (FADACA), acknowledge the problem but shift responsibility to the students themselves and cleaners. Fadaca claims that the poor state of the gutters is largely due to the “careless attitude” of the students, who continue to litter the drainage systems despite multiple awareness campaigns.
“Students keep dumping waste into the gutters,” Fadaca says.
"No matter how much effort we put into cleaning, it becomes pointless if they keep messing it up.”
When asked about the cleaning process, Fadaca states that the cleaners have not been able to keep up with the work. He admits that even after informing the Hall warden, Dr. Okunlade about the situation, the response has been inadequate.
According to the Hall Chairman, he has even withheld signing the payment document for the cleaning contractors, hoping this would force them to do their job.
"At some point, the contractor had to make sure that the gutter was cleaned, but after that, the process was not continued,” he says, emphasizing the lack of proper management of the cleaning staff.
CLEANERS’ STRUGGLE: LOW PAY AND UNDERSTAFFING
In Zikpress' interview with one of the cleaners, Mrs. Oluwafemi Abiodun, she attributed the poor state of the gutters to a lack of workforce, unpaid salaries, and low wages.
Speaking on the shortage of workers, she said, "There are only seven cleaners in the entire Zik Hall, which is not enough. Ideally, we should have about nine cleaners, excluding those tasked with cleaning the gutters."
She continued, "Cleaners are not willing to work here because the pay is lower compared to other hostels. We haven’t been paid in six months, and if we’re not paid soon, we intend to go on strike within the week."
Mrs. Abiodun did not shy away from placing part of the blame on the Zikites themselves. She pointed out that much of the problem with the gutters arises from the behavior of the students.
"Sometimes, while sweeping, I find spoiled food mixed with water being poured from the upstairs into the gutters. In fact, there’s barely anything that doesn’t get poured from the top floor," she said.
She further shared a disturbing personal experience, saying, "A student even spat on me from the top floor while I was cleaning."
She concluded by stressing, "If Zikites don't stop their bad habits of pouring unnecessary waste into the gutters, the gutters will continue to worsen."
COLLECTIVE FAILURE
The state of the gutters in Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall is a clear example of how collective negligence can result in a severe environmental crisis. While Zikites’ behavior—such as the improper disposal of waste—has contributed to the problem, the lack of efficient management and coordination from the hall executives and the cleaning staff has exacerbated the situation.
The solution to this problem lies not in pointing fingers but in taking collective responsibility. Zikites must change their attitudes toward cleanliness and become more conscious of their impact on the environment. The hall executives must ensure that cleaning contractors are held accountable and that there are enough staff members to maintain the hall’s hygiene. Additionally, the authorities must address the issue of unpaid wages for the cleaning staff to ensure they are motivated to perform their duties effectively.
Only through cooperation and a shared commitment to cleanliness can the gutters be restored to a functional state, ensuring a healthier and cleaner living environment for all students.
