Sick And Struggling

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The importance of infrastructure in a country cannot be overstated. Good roads, electricity, clean water, well-equipped hospitals, and standard schools are the foundation of a thriving country. There's no doubt that infrastructures make life easier for citizens. Good roads ensure safety, reliable electricity gives room for productivity, and with good hospitals and clean water, people will live healthily and happily. Without these infrastructures, a country will struggle. In the world we live in today, developed countries have good infrastructures. They have good roads, hospitals, schools, and other things. It is not surprising how they continue to stay on top of the world. On the other hand, underdeveloped countries struggle to provide basic infrastructure for citizens.

I take it that everyone remembers the Covid 19 period. So many countries were affected. However, developed countries were able to tackle the virus better. They had the necessary hospitals, equipment, and medical personnel to take care of the sick people. Although my country is underdeveloped, to an extent, we managed to combat the virus.

It is the responsibility of the government to provide its citizens with the necessary infrastructure, and that is why citizens pay taxes. Why should citizens pay taxes when everything goes to the government’s belly? It is the civic responsibility of citizens to pay taxes as it is stated in the constitution. However, taxes are not for charity purposes. When citizens pay taxes, they are contributing to the development of new infrastructures, and also the maintenance of existing ones. Citizens pay taxes and in return, the government should use the income generated effectively and efficiently.

Sadly, the reverse is the case in so many countries. In my country, the economic, social, political, and every other sector are in shambles. The people are trying everything to make the country better. Hopefully, our efforts will bring changes soon. When it comes to infrastructure, my country is lagging greatly. The situation is not balanced. Some states in the country enjoy adequate or at least manageable infrastructure, while other parts are neglected, struggling to survive with limited infrastructure.

I grew up in the western part of Nigeria. One thing I can say about the government is that they carry out their responsibility of enacting infrastructural projects during elections. About four years ago, during the state’s election, the government started building roads. We had been struggling with bad roads for years, so we were happy when we saw big tractors moving around, demolishing the old road. They worked on it for about three months, but as soon as the election ended, the government stopped the work. To this day, they haven't done anything about it, leaving the road worse than it was before. Honestly, it would have been way better if they had left the road as it was.

There are so many infrastructures that are missing in the state. Talk about good roads, reliable electricity, and schools, however, the most pressing one is well-equipped hospitals. Every day, accidents happen, people battle with sicknesses and diseases, and even the slightest home accident can lead to death. How are we supposed to survive when there are no good hospitals? There are so many private hospitals in my state, but so many of them are quacks who didn't even complete Med school.

I remember when my mom's friend had an accident during my secondary school days. At that time, we used lanterns that worked on kerosene. Unfortunately, they poured petrol inside the lantern instead of kerosene. As soon as her mom struck the matches, the lantern exploded, burning her hand and neck. Her hand was burnt from her fingers to her elbow. They rushed her to the only public hospital in our area, but they turned them away because they lacked the necessary equipment to treat her. They also tried other private hospitals, but they gave the same response. My friend's mom was taken to the village, where she was treated traditionally

Summarily, the government needs to do better. Providing infrastructure is a key aspect of a government's responsibility to its people.

Thanks for reading.