The mention of Bacita immediately evokes memories of the now comatose Nigeria Sugar Company. The image of the defunct firm still lies in the town which used to be a commercial hub in Kwara State.

But today, the town is a shadow of itself, with the once-known industrial town lacking in development.

The absence of good roads may have contributed to the deplorable nature of the town. The collapse of the sugar company and Nigeria Yeast and Alcohol Manufacturing Company has made life in the town unattractive.

Located in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, Bacita used to be the envy of Nigeria because of the presence of the Nigerian Sugar Company and others. But the situation has changed drastically as the town can no longer boast of any development. For example, because of the status of the Nigeria Sugar Company, the staff school, which residents said, used to be the joy of students and parents has become an eyesore.

The buildings and classrooms are in a deplorable condition. As evidence of the decay of the school, the signpost no longer bears the name of the school as years of neglect seem to have taken toll on it. The name has been erased and replaced with an inscription which reads: "No King as God", written in a handwriting that depicts that of an idle child trying to master the craft of handwriting.

A few meters from the gate stood a huge book-like sculpture with the inscription, "Education is the bedrock of any development, allow your children to be educated", an indication of why the school was set up.

The Nation correspondent gathered that apart from the overgrown grasses, there was nothing to suggest that this was a place that was once a centre of academic excellence. The classrooms had been converted to some kind of store by farmers and other people who see some industrious use of the classrooms. They dry their shear butter seeds, cassava and other farm produce. Result sheets, text books and receipt booklets were seen scattered in what used to be the headmaster's office and other offices.

Ironically, the condition of the school can be likened to the state of the community whose growth has stunted over the years. Many people have, however, relocated from the community and many more are said to be on their way out due to lack of development.

They have, however, cried out; alleging that the government, both at the federal and state levels, has abandoned them. Some of the residents of the community expressed sadness that government has decided not to remember them. Our correspondent also discovered that out of the two roads leading to the community, visitors prefer to use the Old Jebba Road known to many as the Tsaragi/Share Road because of the deplorable condition of the major road, the Mokwa/Jebba Road.

It was further gathered that visitors to Bacita have abandoned the 18-kilometre road because, instead of spending about 20 minutes to get to the community, travellers spend almost one hour because of its bad nature. The alternative route which is the Share/Tsaragi Road, which most people prefer is peculiar with the plain landscape.

The road is tarred, which explains the preference. Some of the villages on the road are Patidzuru, Kpankorogi, Manfu, Emigbadzi, Mamu and Emiworogi. Heaps of firewood, which might never be sold are displayed in most of the villages. With about one kilometre separating the villages, the Nation correspondent observed that villages, which appear to be smaller than Bacita enjoy good road network and constant power supply, even though they lack schools, markets, banks and hospitals. In view of that, they have to travel always to Bacita to access these facilities.

Ironically, the good road enjoyed by smaller villages on the way to Bacita are not present in Bacita as the roads in Bacita still maintain that natural state, with erosion eating into parts of them.

Motorcycles appear to be the major means of transport in the community where roadblocks and bumps are made with firewood. Unfortunately, the usual bustling that characterised the once-popular industrial town in the Old Kwara State is gone. Walking round the town, it was discovered that most people just move around with little activities going on. Tattered attires of farmers returning from farm also speak about life in the community, with only a few of them with the opportunity to own old bicycles and motorcycles that are better placed off the road. Residents are not happy about the seeming pathetic situation in Bacita.

Even with the state of lack of development, worship places adorn the town with only one functioning hospital, few private schools and thick green grasses. A view from afar gives you hope because of the company structure which stands out, but on approaching, the hope is dashed as the structure stands among bushes. The community has one government secondary school and one mini-fuel station called Green Space Nigeria Limited.

Investigation revealed that the major source of water in the community is well water while their major occupations remain farming and petty trades because of the collapse of the companies.

Dominated by the Nupe, the women have mastered the art of using the abundant groundnuts in the community for commercial purpose. With the groundnut, they make and sell 'kuli-kuli,' a local snack and also extract oil which they sell to those who like organic food.

Residents told The Nation correspondent that "Bacita used to be tourism and excursion centre for students and visitors who came to the state. It really assisted the economy of the country then because of the Sugar firm and NIYAMCO that were functioning. But now, the moribund nature of the companies has led to the collapse of most activities in the community."

Some of them regretted that the "government has forgotten us completely but we will not be surprised if we start hearing that they will come to pay us a visit soon just the way they usually do when general elections approach.

As election period draws near, they will find their way into the town with blaring siren and party flags for campaign. They act very honest and promise heaven on earth but after the election, they completely turn their backs on us. That is why the community remains the same or worse than what it used to be."

A resident, who lives in an estate popularly called Housing Estate, said: "If the politicians don't remember us by putting something significant such as good road, potable water and probably help restore what is dying in this village, I doubt if this town will exist for long."