Ancient Tree On Nsukka By Udi Streets Junction Collapses, Destroys Electric Transformer, Throws Neighbourhood Into Darkness
…Residents Celebrate, Say Tree Is Tired Of Receiving Evil Sacrifices
Residents of Mile I, Diobu, Port Harcourt particularly those living and doing business around the popular Nsukka by Udi Streets junction were Sunday saved from what could have passed for a calamity when the ancient tree at the junction surrendered to the rains and fell with no human casualties.
The tree which provides shelter for taxi drivers plying Elechi Beach and Iloabuchi axis of Port Harcourt and those doing other sundry businesses including vulcanizers and roadside roasted plantain sellers according to eyewitness account, started caving in gently as though it was being controlled by unknown forces until it finally touched base that Sunday evening.
Though no human casualties were caught up in the mysterious fall of the ancient tree, the electric transformer mounted under the tree and which serves the entire Udi, Nsukka, Abakaliki, Nnewi Streets etc was not as lucky and was badly damaged by the collapsed tree, throwing the neighbourhood into darkness.
Though some believe that mystery is another name for ‘our ignorance’ because if we were omniscient, all would be perfectly plain, most people around the area believe that the ancient tree is not just ordinary and may be harbouring some deity.
Some opinion merchants and pocket lawyers who gathered at the scene of the incident were heard saying the tree which had allegedly been used by unidentified persons for all manner of sacrifices may have been tired of being used for evil sacrifices.
On her own part, a roasted plantain seller around the area, simply called Mama Boma could not hide her joy, saying that the fall of the tree was the handiwork of God which calls for celebration.
According to her, no sooner had the tree collapsed than her roasted plantains business began to sell like hot cake. She said she expects the remaining part of the ancient tree to give way and release its captives.
Recall that this is not the first time the ancient tree is causing avoidable damages to not only electric poles and high tension wires that cross the place but also to the fence of the State Water Board on which the tree partly rests yet all relevant authorities including the Port Harcourt Electricity Company have failed to do something about that apparent danger to human lives at the heart of the state capital.
All the money used to effect the repairs regularly occasioned by the ancient tree at all times is contributed by residents and people doing business around the area.
