By Correspondent in Lokoja
The Coterie of Ibaji Youths of Nigeria (COIYN), an umbrella organization for youths in Ibaji Local Government Area in Kogi, has made appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to approve funds for the construction of Otuocha-Ibaji-Idah road to alleviate the sufferings of the people.
The Chairman of COIYN, Mr Tony Edike, made the appeal at a Peace Summit organised by the group at Ejule-Onu community in Ibaji on Saturday.
Edike also urged the Federal Government, through the Hon. Minister, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, to give the community a sense of belonging in the country.
The group noted that Ibaji LGA, which was created in 1996, had remained without any motorable road, electricity, functional health facilities and other basic amenities.
He explained that the Federal government had on December 2009, awarded the contract for the construction of the Otuocha-Ibaji-Idah road atN7.2 billion, to
an indigenous construction firm.
Edike noted that N2.5 billion was reportedly released as mobilization fund for the 90-kilometre road.
”Although about 35 per cent of the contract sum had been spent, there is nothing on ground, especially within the Ibaji axis that is commensurate with the fund already released.
“We have it on good authority that the contracting firm which staged a symbolic appearance on site early 2018, has since stopped work and moved its men and materials from site.
”This is after the Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing had listed the road among those to be constructed and rehabilitated in 2018,” Edike said.
He stressed that the rehabilitation of the road would enable the community, Kogi, and the nation at large to benefit from the vast agricultural produce from Anambra West, Ibaji and Idah Local Government Areas of the country.
”The construction of this road would engender economic, social and political developments within the vast agricultural communities in Anambra and Kogi states.
”The travel time from Anambra to Abuja would be reduced by three hours and thousands of jobs would be created and enhanced accessibility to avalanche of economic activities.
”The annual devastating floods in the area would be controlled through adequate water channels that will arise from construction of medium and large sized bridges on the route, among other tangible and intangible benefits,” Edike added.
Also speaking at the summit, Mr Jerry Nwuchola, the President of COIYN, Mrs Mercy Ameh, COIYN Women Leader, and the Secretary Ibaji LG Peace Committee, Mr Joel Ocheja, all urged Ibaji youths to shun conflict, hard drugs and other vices capable of destroying their future.
Various leaders of the group who spoke at the event urged the people of the area to live in peace and embrace meaningful economic activities that would enhance their lives and the council.
Earlier, during a courtesy call on the traditional ruler of Ejule-Onu community, Chief Joseph Ogwu, commended the group for embarking on the peace initiative.
The royal father pledged his continued cooperation with other community leaders to ensure peace and enduring harmony among their people.
Participants, at the of the meeting, unanimously resolved to pursue peace in Ibaji LGA and lead an aggressive campaign against communal feuds, hard drugs.
They, however, urged youths against indulging in hard drugs cultism and eschew school dropout, identifying such vices as the major threats to peace in the area.
