By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
A Group, under the auspices of Young Idoma Professionals (YIP) has tasked Benue State Governor, Reverend Father Hycient Alia to be fair, just and have the fear of God in awarding contracts for the well publicised 500-kilometre roads billed to be constructed in the state soon.
The group expressed this in a statement signed by its convener, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson, and made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Saturday June 15, 2024.
YIP was reacting to publications, which informed that Benue State Government has secured €25 million from the European Investment Bank to construct 500-kilometre roads across the state.
According to the publications, State Coordinator, Benue Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), Stephen Numbeve, disclosed this in Makurdi on Thursday.
Numbeve said all the administrative procedures have been completed and the agency would commence work once the fund is disbursed.
The RAAMP coordinator said the road designs for 300 kilometres of roads have been completed, while works for the remaining 200 kilometres are ongoing.
YIP therefore, tasked the Benue State Government to ensure equitable distribution of the road projects across the 3 zones of the state.
“We have been watching keenly with dismay, that the 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 per cent of those roads to be constructed with the expected loan be in Zone C,” the statement said.
“Although we are yet to see the list of the roads earmarked, we are sounding a note of advise that no zones be shortchange as a Rev. Father as doing so will be resisted through every available legal means,” the group stated.
