By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
An NGO, Participation Initiative for Behavioral Change in Development, (PIBCID), has called on the Kogi State Government to as a matter of urgency, look into the plight of the people of Agbaja in Oworo under Lokoja Local Government Area of the state for improved community development.
This the NGO further urged could be by constructing roads, post teachers to schools and resuscitate Agbaja Cottage hospital to attract developmentto the agrarian community.
PIBCID also called for the return of Contractors to site for the reconstruction of Felele/Agbaja, Oworo Road.
The NGO’s advice is contained in a communique issued at the end of PIBCID advocacy visit to Agbaja, Headquarters of Oworo land which was signed by the Acting Executive Director of PIBCID, Mrs Racheal Akande and HRH, Abubakar Isa Alugbere, the Maasi of Agbaja.
The Communique, a copy of which was made available to The Reporters in Lokoja on Friday,noted that the advocacy visit was aimed at providing interactive platform with the Traditional Council, Community members, and the Media to chat a way forward on how to rectify the deplorable state of Felele Oworo roads.
According to the communique,it was to check poor Educational and healthcare facilities and services in Oworo Kingdom and propose relevant recommendations to the Kogi State Government.
The organization observed that
Oworo/Agbaja Road, for over two decades, had reflected in Kogi State budget and also has been awarded severally by the State government but there was no effect to the implementation of the awarded contract.
It also called on the State Government to complement the efforts of some private organizations that have been supporting the Kingdom in the area of social amenities.
The NGO expressed concern that despite the effort of Agbaja Kingdom to build a Police outpost, the Nigeria Police had not deployed its personnel to Agbaja in view of insecurity in the country.
“There is urgent need for the State Government to direct the Commissioner of Police to deploy Police Officers to Oworo land for the security of lives and properties of the People.
Reacting to the allegation, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, for the Police Command in the state,SP William Ovye Aya, said the Agbaja community had not informed the command of such structure for it to know if it meets the standard of the police.
On educatuon, the NGO,noted that the state of education in Agbaja and the entire Oworo land is in a bad state, adding that the structures in Universal Basic Education, (UBE), Government Secondary School are all in a dilapidated state and lack sufficient teachers.
It further urged government to make available its presence in the community and support the people with laudable projects to develop Oworo Kingdom and attract investors.
The communique said: “Government should deploy teachers to Primary, UBE and Government Secondary Schools in Oworo Land so that they can compete with other student across the globe.
“There is urgent need for government to renovate the Cottage Hospital before it collapses. The Government should compel all the staff of the Cottage Hospital to return to their duty post.
“There is need for elected representatives to build constituency offices and call for at list quarterly town hall meeting to discuss matters arising that affect Oworo land.
“The Government should make provision for suitable water system for the people of Oworo land”.
