'Business community in Kogi state lost N400m investments in 18 months'

The business community in Kogi State  lost over N400 million worth of investments to insecurity as a result of robbery, theft and burglary in the state in the last 18 months.

The Kogi Coalition of Business and Professional Association (KOCOBPA), who made this known  during a  media parley with newsmen  on the way to tackle  insecurity  for economic revival at the weekend, informed  that no fewer than 90 per cent of the people in the state are aware of the increasing cases of insecurity  as over 94 per cent of the people are aware that communities in the state  are becoming dangerous  to live and operate business.

The report presented by the association indicated that  robbery, theft and burglary constituted highest risk to the business community in the state, while unemployment was ranked as  the highest cause of insecurity ,adding that  other reasons are inadequate security,the use of thugs  by politicians  and lack of synergy between security agents and community.

The  chairman of the association, Dr John Alabi , urged the state government and security agencies to do more in the area of provision of adequate security in the state, believing that there must be synergy between the security agents and the government.

Alabi stated that  there is the need for the creation of a platform between the business owners and security agents, explaining  that there should be increase in funding for robust  security operations.

He ,however,  called on government  to create more skills sacquisition centres for youths empowerment  in the state, adding  that moral education through schools, parents and traditional rulers, will go a long way in reducing the incidence of insecurity.