BENUE/Nigeria: The Young Idoma Professionals (YIP) have called on Benue State Governor, Reverend Father Hycient Alia to ensure fairness and equity in the allocation of contracts for the upcoming 500-kilometre road construction project.
In a statement jointly signed by its leaders Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson, Okpani Mike Odeh Akatu, and Okpani Dickson Elaigwu, the group emphasized the need for at least 40 percent of the new roads to be constructed in Zone C. The statement was made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Sunday, June 16, 2024.
The group’s appeal follows recent announcements that the Benue State Government has secured €25 million from the European Investment Bank to construct roads across the state. According to Benue Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) Coordinator Stephen Numbeve, administrative procedures are complete, and construction will commence once the funds are disbursed. The road designs for 300 kilometres have been finalized, with designs for the remaining 200 kilometres underway.
YIP expressed concern over the historical neglect of Zone C in state infrastructure projects. “We have been watching keenly with dismay, that Zone C has been relegated in the scheme of things in the state, which shouldn’t be so. As such, we demand at least 40 percent of those roads to be constructed with the expected loan be in Zone C,” the statement read.
The group warned that any attempt to marginalize Zone C in the road projects would be met with legal resistance. “Although we are yet to see the list of the roads earmarked, we are sounding a note of warning that any attempts to shortchange Zone C will be resisted through every available legal means,” they stated.
