My choice of environment...
I really do not know where my current residence falls in between a city and a village because to my understanding, infrastructures, and development are what separate a village from a city so I might just say that I am stuck between the two due to some reasons.
Although, we refer to the area as the City of Ikorodu but a lot of places aren't developed yet and I think my residence falls into the undeveloped area. It might be underdeveloped but it is definitely not a village.
I live in a big community in the City of Ikorodu but the place is lacking some infrastructure. There is currently an ongoing road project that started last year but has stopped before the new year and hopefully, it will bring more development if they by chance complete it because the election is over and we might not see these politicians again until another election.
Aside from infrastructure, the place still observes a lot of rituals that are slowing down the rate of development in the city. I enjoy their festivals a lot but those rituals they observe at different times of the year are a turn-off for many people including myself.
I won't deny the fact that many parts of the city are not safe due to constant gang wars but my community is a peaceful and quiet place to live in. It is my kind of environment because it is quiet except at night when bars and clubs in the community decide to raise the volume of their speakers high.
Despite loving the environment, I do still love to change the environment into a more densely populated area. I mentioned earlier that the area is underdeveloped but development is coming in really quickly and before we know it, this place will be very busy. The development will bring lots of goodies that I definitely want to enjoy, a good road network, and improved amenities like the health care centers and others but development also attracts things I find troubling as well.
Since the road project started, many Landlord has increased their rent even before the completion of the road. They know development is gradually coming and the first they are thinking of increasing rent not considering that we aren't making more money because of the development. It hasn't gotten to me yet but I know it will because the landlords here imitate one another actions.
Aside from the increase in utility bills due to the attention the area will be getting, there is a high chance of an increase in crime rate, pollution will increase and the environment will lose more touch with nature because people will troop in to buy lands, therefore cutting down trees will be inevitable.
I will love to relocate to another place that is densely populated for many reasons.
- I am a fish farmer and it is not easy doing such business in a developed area because of the waste from the pond. The water stinks a lot when flushing and if the people decide to report to authorities in charge of the environment, I might be forced to stop doing the activity. I intend to have a poultry and animal farm in the future, all these can't be done in a developed area so living in a densely populated place will be a good thing to do. I will have enough space to expand my farm anytime there is a need for expansion and collecting grass for my cattle will be easier plus I can also bless farmers if there are any around me with the waste from the ponds because it can serve as manure for their crops.
- Living in a densely populated place also gives me access to nature, I can get to grow my food and enjoy lots of other natural things. In my current place, there use to be a big tree in my environment where I use to relax but the tree was chopped off and now, I do miss the tree when the weather is very hot since it use to be the place I get the best air and now I just sit outside my house for air which is not as cool as sitting under that tree. If it was a densely populated place, there will definitely be trees around where I can hang around during hot weather.
- Another reason is because of how a densely populated place will help cut down my expenses. In the developed area, people pay lots of money for everything but I can save more money living in a densely populated area.
I will definitely miss the city vibe but I am good with that after all, I spend most of my between home and the farm so I will definitely be good with the environment as long as there is electricity. All I need to keep a good connection with the city is to have a perfect truck that can move easily even on untarred roads.
Please note that all images in this article belong to me and were captured at different times and days.
I have been to ikorodu before and I would say it’s a cool arena. But I don’t know you side in the city. Though the major city is cool and sure even in Lagos there are some underdeveloped places too. It’s almost everywhere.
I hope you continue to get what you want so you can live a happy life.
Thanks for sharing. Nice captures I love them
Amen, you told me about coming to Ikorodu. The place is great but there are yet to develop areas as well.
That’s right… but I don’t think I have been to your area
For your fish farming,is there not a way that you can channel the water so pollution is avoided.
But maybe,as they build roads, they'll make gutters and it'll make things a lot easier for you.
And, I like those images. They're beautiful.
Until the gutters are available it will be difficult because the old ones have been destroyed.
Releasing water now will only destroy the road further because the project has stopped even before the election.
Ikorodu is a very peaceful place to live and as a fish farmer that you are you can't do such in a very developed area if not you will be disturbing the neighborhood with the smell of the fish water
Yeah, the odour from the pond water is always horrible and it wouldn't make sense to pollute the city with such a thing.
Where I live too isn't classified as urban or rural... development still on progress but I enjoy the nature, the calmness and access to fresh fruits from the neighboring villages like epe. If I have the chance, I will change to the main city in Lagos sharp sharp.
Wow, you are close to Epe. That means you will be enjoying fresh fruits and seafoods as well.
City life is beautiful but I still love the rural settlement for many reasons.
Many of us would love to live in cities from the fact that cities are having more amenities. Many people do not want to be in remote or deprived areas where he wouldn't get electricity 🔌 to charge his phone, would not get good drinking water, wouldn't have good road or hospital to attend when he is sick.So, the urban areas will continue to be densely populated due to some of these issues. By the way I like your take as far where to live is concerned
There are lots of challenges attached to the rural settlement but there are definitely solutions to them. There is power generator, solar power that can take care of the electricity issue.
I love the city though but I want the rural settlement.
I don't like underdeveloped areas because you wouldn't be comfortable and satisfied with a lot of things until you move to a more developed areas where you'd get various options and opportunities.
Thanks for sharing about Ikorodu to us.
There are challenges attachéd but staying in a rural settlement comes with some satisfaction as a lover of nature.
I can feel the difficulty in overcoming this problem, because I am also a fish farmer, of course it will be very difficult to start this business in a dense area, but if the area is large, of course we can easily throw the waste from the fish into several holes in the ground
I haven't been to Ikorodu before, I hear that there are some real nicely developed places especially as an estate, though some places are still very well underdeveloped. For your kind of business a more rural environment will be suitable although, you will miss the city vibes.
I will definitely miss the city vibes but I need the rural settlement more. I can make money in the rural settlement and go flex in the city once in a while.