PAINS OF YOUNG WOMEN IN DEVELOPING COMMUNITIES
Over a decade, Lagos State, Nigeria fastest growing city is experiencing unprecedented development as people keep spreading to their own abodes in the nooks and crannies of the state. However, the level in which various unharnessed environment transform into a new community in the last ten years could be said to be all time high. Nevertheless, there are challenges some of the dwellers have had to deal with to put up a concrete wall.
One of those places where swamps are becoming dry land and bushes becoming streets is Ibaro area of Iba LCDA in Lagos State, Nigeria. In this community, builders have to cope with bushy routes and marshy grounds while trying to create paths that lead to houses under construction. More so, credit must be given to women in this area who have been supporting house development by helping to fill swampy area of building site so as to enable dry land for living.
Mother of one, Iyabo John, is one of those that carry red sand to sites to fill rooms under construction just for family survival. “I started helping with sand-filling last year. Well, it is not an ideal job for a woman but I can’t just lazy around, besides I have to support my husband because he is not earning much,” she said.
On their manner of operation, Iyabo stated: “We charge 8,000 for a tipper of red sand, while we only get paid after we have emptied the whole container, which depends on the distance from where the sand is offloaded and the building site. It takes two to three days. She however said sometimes when they are too stressed; emptying container may take up to one week.
Recalling some of the hazards of the work, having to wade through many uncharted bushes and swampy ground, another worker, Fatimo Olatinwo, who also said she has been working on building sites for about two years, said he has been injured on many occasions while carrying out the task
She describes her recent injury: “It happened some weeks ago, as I walking on the tiny wood bridge linking here, suddenly I tripped and a nail went through my left leg. It was painful.”
Olatinwo said she however felt bad when she “told the owner of the building about the injury and all he could say was sorry.”
Another worker, Iyabo Alex said she works “from morning till night, then rest and take drugs,” while she also admits to sustaining injuries once in a while.
Like every other women, these human sand fillers also have their dreams. All of them hope to buy their land someday, whether at Ibaro area or elsewhere. When asked if she would prefer to sand-fill her land or hire other women to do the job, John retorted, “No, I won’t, why should I? When I have the money I will hire other people so they could also support their families.”
