Takushara, located in Abuja Metropolitan Area Council is noted for its thriving mining activities that have continued to attract tens of migrants to the community.
But despite the huge population and its descent modern infrastructure such as a customary court, health care centre, a junior secondary school and ongoing construction of internal roads, a divisional police station and a modern market. Residents are still grappling with access to phone connectivity and internet access.
The Odyssey for Mobile Coverage in Takushara is one that most residents don’t like to tell as it reminds them of their daily struggle to connect to the world via the internet. Residents of this rock-tucked community travel over 6 to 7 kilometers to access mobile telecommunication networks in nearby Kabusa, Waru, and Apo Resettlement.
In an interview with Housing TV Africa, residents called on telecommunication providers and the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) to help construct telecom masts in the area to boost its thriving commercial activities and Mining operations.
Mr Sani Haliru Bala, the youth leader of the community and an estate agent decried the total telecommunication blackout in the area as a drawback for residents. “here we cannot make calls and access the internet. No phone network at all and this has cost us a lot of business deals. Sometimes we travel as far as Waru, Apo, and Kabusa to access phone and internet networks.
Another resident, who is a civil servant and pleaded anonymity, corroborated Haliru Bala’s claims. “I have been here for 3 years, and the network is terrible. I’m even lucky I work in town (Abuja City), where I get to make all my calls and do all the internet browsing I need to do before returning home.
When quizzed further by our reporter on why he has not relocated to a new location with a good network, the civil servant simply replied he loves the serenity of the place and prefers it, but chipped in that it will be great if they have a network there someday
The lack of mobile phone and internet connectivity in Takushara, despite its growing population and modern infrastructure, presents a significant obstacle to its development. This digital divide hinders business activities, limits access to information, and isolates residents from the wider community.
Urgent intervention from telecommunication providers and regulatory bodies like the NCC is crucial. By establishing telecom masts in Takushara, the government can empower residents, boost the local economy, and ensure that this thriving community can fully participate in the digital age.
