Exploring Mpape district in Abuja is a little like navigating the popular Nigerian reality show, The Gulder sponsored 'Ultimate Search'. Usually the search takes place in a Jungle and locating a place is just a matter of following clues provided by the shows crew. Clues are all you have whenever you attempt to find a location in the myriad of confusing interior streets in Mpape's neighbourhoods.

Locating a place in Mpape is just as challenging and ‘bumpy’ as the Ultimate search except this time there is no reward for you other than stress. The roads are narrow and in bad shape with lots of potholes and mini gullies. Despite this, the roads are heavily congested with all sorts of vehicles; lorries, buses, trailers, motorcycles, tricycles and salon cars. There is a visible absence of security personnel which is quite alarming for residents who have to cope with security challenges by themselves. These are perhaps some of the reasons the FCDA has marked it for demolition.

Mpape is a hilly town located opposite Maitama district across the Major highway linking Kubwa with Asokoro. With the exception of a few modern buildings, Mpape honestly resembles an urban slum with houses erected with no defined plans. A majority of the residents are usually folks with low paying jobs in Abuja city who can’t afford more decent accommodation. Mpape is densely populated with only one tarred road that connects the town with the outside world. All others are either partially tarred or untarred. Many houses are unpainted and drainage systems are visibly absent. In additon to all this, the roar of human and vehicular traffic can be distracting to say the least.

There are no identifiable road signs in Mpape, this makes finding your way around very difficult. Thankfully there are commercial motorcycle taxis popularly called 'Okada' or 'Going' who can help you find your way, but even they can be a let down because of lack of sufficient landmarks or street names.

Don’t even ask us about the poor drainages. Take note; if you are going to Mpape for the first time without a guide and on a rainy day, get ready for a rough ride. Get yourself some boots, a hat to protect your face from the heat, a bottle of water and plenty of stamina to endure the stress!

Source: http://www.abujafood.com/news-digest/abuja-places/946-mpape-district-in-abuja-another-ultimate-search.html

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Excuse me, you're on the wrong thread! Go somewhere else and post that!