AN ITAKPA COMMUNITY AREA IN BENUE STATE CRY OUT

                  AN ITAKPA COMMUNITY AREA IN BENUE STATE CRY CALL ON
                                               GOV.ORTOM 

An Itekpa Community leader in Oju local Government Area of Benue state, Chief Odeh Ola Odeh, has called for 
improved social amenities for some alleged relegated parts of Igede community in the State, in a bid to enable them enjoy the dividends of a democratic dispensation.

Odeh made the call while addressing journalists on the menace caused by Omwu river located in Itekpa community in Oju LGA, and harped on the need for a redress.
Apart from the river menace, Odeh also bemoaned the absence of power supply in significantly four minority Igede groups in Oju namely: Itekpa, Omua, Ikwata and Adoka areas, which he ascribed to sheer neglect for its inhabitants.
He lamented: "The Itekpa, Omua, Ikwata and Adoka people which only shares boundary communities with Cross River State, have mostly trained themselves in the development of Benue State, and the truth remains that they can only give as much as they have.
"These communities not only suffers from absolute neglect from all levels of Government in Nigeria, but also from her immediate brothers in the Benue communities.
"In the history of these communities, the Itekpa people loose their brothers and sisters to the Omwu river yearly; and in the last two years, we have recorded about 15 deaths, and this is so disheartening because there is no bridge to act as a demarcation.
"In the rainy season, the river is notorious for over-flowing it's bank to adjourning roads, and thus, causing many people to be casualties of the fatal situation.
"As small surburbs, the communities have never benefited from the rural electrification programme of either the federal Government or the Benue state Government since 1976 when Oju was created as an LGA.
"To the people of these communities, the prevailing situation constitute nothing but an absolute neglect or economic and social violence on these four communities,"
According to Chief Odeh, people of these communities comprising mostly educated and learned men and women, were known for their solidarity in casting votes during elections, as they come out in their numbers.
He, however, said that no member of these communities, have occupied any political position in past years, adding that this was also an example of marginalisation.
The community Chief is therefore, urging the state, federal and local government, to come to the aid of Itekpa, Omua, Ikwata and Adoka communities, by ensuring that they are given a pride of place, and made to enjoy deserving social amenities.

MORE LOADING............