lBy Muhammad Sani Mu’azu and Sadiya Abdulhamid
For more than two decades, residents of Jan Ruwa, a community located within the heart of Bauchi metropolis and neighboring Tafawa Balewa Estate, have lived with glaring infrastructural neglect. Despite their proximity to the state capital, the people say they feel abandoned, with little or no access to essential services such as schools, hospitals, potable water, and electricity.
A Community Left Behind
Abdullahi Usman Zaki, the Village Head of Jan Ruwa who has lived in the area for over twenty years, paints a grim picture of life in the community.
“We don’t have a single school here, neither do we have a hospital. Our children must cross the main road to faraway schools, exposing them to daily risks. Many times, children have been involved in accidents. Potable water is another major challenge. The only borehole in this community is more than 25 years old, and whenever it breaks down, we must contribute money to repair it. As for electricity, we survive only on one transformer, and solar streetlights are non-existent,” he lamented.
Zaki further explained that several appeals had been made to both government and non-governmental organizations, but promises often end in disappointment.
“We have orphans in this community who need care. Some NGOs once came and made pledges to help, but nothing came out of it. Honestly, we are appealing to the government, philanthropists, and well-meaning individuals to come to our aid,” he said.
The Burden of Water and Education
For Ibrahim Haruna, popularly known as Takwando, water scarcity and lack of a school remain the community’s most pressing concerns.
“Since the time of former Governor Isa Yuguda till now, we have not enjoyed any dividends of democracy in Jan Ruwa. Access to clean water and a primary school should not be too much to ask for, yet we are denied these basics. Our children trek long distances to Zannuwa or other communities just to get an education. This is painful for a community that has been voting faithfully in every election,” he stressed.
Haruna added that while the community leader tries to mobilize help, such efforts rarely go beyond empty promises.
“No Development, No Votes,” Women Vow
Perhaps the strongest words came from Maman Nura, a vegetable seller and long-time resident of Jan Ruwa. She accused politicians of using the community for votes but abandoning them afterward.
“Jan Ruwa is over 30 years old. Every election, politicians come here to campaign, we give them our votes, and even help secure ballot boxes. Yet, we have nothing to show for it. Only Barden Gabas once attempted to provide a borehole, but politics disrupted the project, and today, it is useless. We have no school, no water, and no reliable electricity. Over 20,000 people live here, but we depend on just one transformer.
“This time, we will not vote for any politician who fails to bring development to Jan Ruwa. Let them not bother coming to us empty-handed. We are tired of empty promises,” she declared angrily.
Neighbors Enjoying Development
Ironically, communities surrounding Jan Ruwa, including Tafawa Balewa Estate and Fadaman Mada, have access to basic amenities, leaving Jan Ruwa residents feeling sidelined and forgotten.
“We are in the very center of Bauchi, yet we live like people in a remote village,” Abdullahi Usman Zaki remarked.
A Call for Urgent Action
The residents of Jan Ruwa are united in their plea for intervention. Their demands are simple: potable water, a functional borehole, a primary school, improved electricity supply with an additional transformer, and solar-powered streetlights to curb insecurity.
For decades, they say, their loyalty during elections has been rewarded with neglect. This time, their voices are louder and firmer: development before politics.
Until then, the people of Jan Ruwa remain trapped in a cycle of unfulfilled promises — waiting for leaders who will finally recognize that democracy means more than just votes.