BNC LAMENTS LACK OF FEDERAL PROJECTS IN OIL-RICH LGA

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM
BENIN-THE Benin National Congress, BNC, a socio-cultural organization in Edo State, yesterday, lamented alleged lack of Federal Government projects in oil-rich Ikpoba Okhai Local Government Area of the state.

It, therefore, appealed to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to urgently complete the Benin-Abraka road project, saying that the protracted delay was inflicting untold hardship on the people.

In a statement by President of the Congress, Aiyamenkhue Edokpolo, BNC commended the Ministry for embarking on the project and also appealed that attention should be accorded other projects in Edo South senatorial district which are almost abandoned.

The statement said: 'Dualisation of the Benin-Abraka road as well as Welfare-Irivbinrin-Ikpoba Hill projects situated in Ikpoba Okhai Local Government Area, will fast-track the much desired infrastructural and human capital transformation of the second largest oil producing local government in Edo State.

'The reason for the non-execution of the Welfare-Irivbinrin-Ikpoba Hill road project can be attributed to the parochial tendencies of Edo South politicians in the National Assembly and presidency.'

'Some representatives prefer to be empowered with contracts in other regions than to agitate for desirable projects for their communities; this is most absurd and condemnable. We call on the Ministry to under take the assessment of the survey of this road project and galvanize the roadmap for its projection the next year's budget.

'The time has come when the Federal Government should reward peaceful communities with fundamental projects and not the mundane culture of cited projects to pacify violent dispositions of powerful cabal.  Ikpoba Okhai deserves more Federal attention, as no tangible amenities have been cited in the area in the past two decades' it stated.