Business owners around the Rumuokoro and Rumuola roundabouts in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, are raising the alarm over the increasing number of homeless individuals living under the flyovers.
While some traders attribute the situation to laziness, others believe criminal activities have become prevalent. They are calling on the government to intervene.
“Many of them don’t want to work,” said one trader, a middle-aged woman. “The only ones I give alms to are those who are blind or physically disabled. The government should take responsibility for these vulnerable individuals and provide them with support,” she added.
Another trader, a man, visibly frustrated with the situation, expressed his strong disapproval: “These people are lazy! If I were the governor, I would chase them out of the state. Some of them pretend to be mentally ill, but at night, they turn into thieves. The Rumuokoro flyover is a nightmare! If you come here at 10 p.m. and you're not careful, they will rob you.”
However, not all traders placed the blame solely on the homeless. One respondent pointed to broader economic issues, stating, “There are no jobs. Even graduates have nothing to do. Everything comes down to the government failing to create opportunities.”
Life on the Streets: The Homeless Speak
To hear the other side of the story, our correspondent spoke with some homeless individuals living under the Rumuokoro and Rumuola flyovers. One of them shared how he ended up on the streets after being mistreated by a relative.
“My mother’s sister took me in after my parents died, but she treated me terribly. I was forced to hawk on the streets. One day, I couldn't take it anymore and ran away. Since then, I’ve been struggling to survive,” he recounted.
Another homeless man explained how they rely on the goodwill of passersby for food. “Sometimes, even getting something to eat is difficult. Some food vendors give us meals, and once in a while, generous people bring food and small cash gifts.”
Beyond hunger, maintaining hygiene is a major challenge. Access to clean water is limited, making it difficult to bathe regularly.
“There is nowhere to take a bath. No water, no bucket, no place to stay,” one of them lamented. “I go to the Air Force area to bathe when I can. But there’s nothing else we can do.”
Surviving Harsh Conditions
While the Rumuola flyover is relatively calm at night, people living there say they struggle with harsh weather conditions, especially cold temperatures and mosquito bites.
“At night, the streets are empty, and it gets really cold. The mosquitoes are unbearable,” one man shared.
Despite these struggles, they remain hopeful and are appealing to the government for help. “I am ready to learn a skill if the government can assist us. We just need a chance to start over.”
