IHUGH - TSEMKER ROAD PROTEST: I am Proud of Vandeikya Youths

Makurdi, Benue State.

Two days ago, I read an open letter, a notification of protest addressed to the Divisional Police Officer - DPO, Ihugh Police Division on this platform by a group of youths known as "Benue State Comrades, Vandeikya Axis."

The main attraction of the peaceful protest as was captured in the letter is the "Dilapidated State of Ihugh-Tsemker Road which has become a death trap in recent times." Infact, everyone who has plyed the road will surely confessed that the road is indeed a "death-trap."

Today, the Comrades kept to their words, the protest was peaceful and I salute their courage for standing out and calling both governments - Federal and State to look into their plight.

Many lives and properties worth millions have already been lost over the last two decades, successive governments have played dumb to calls by locals to fix the road. The road is still standing because of the collective efforts of some community youths whom from time, mobilised themselves and fill the potholes on the road to prevent accidents.

Recent torrential downpours have overwhelmed the road. There're two major deep potholes around Akaazua junction that needs urgent attention - refilling. These two potholes are one of the many dangerous death-traps on the road.

The Ihugh-Tsemker road was tarred 40 years ago by the first Civilian Governor of Benue State, late Mr. Apollos Aper Aku with Messrs Tilley Gyado as the main contractor. The road was again rehabilitated in 1998 by the Federal Government when Mr. Ambrose Feese was Federal Minister of State, Works.

I hope the leaders from Vandeikya, especially the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Titus Uba; the Honourable Commissioner for Education and Science, Hon. Prof. Dennis Ityavyar; Hon. Dorathy Mato; Sen. Jack Gyado;

Honourable Aondona Funmi Daboh

; and of course, the Distinguished Honourable Member representing Vandeikya/Konshisha in the Green Chambers, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Herman Hembe and his colleague from the Red Chambers, Sen. Gabriel Torwua Suswam will come through for our people in this regard.

In all, this fall on His Excellency, Chief Samuel Ioraer Ortom PhD and his government.

In my Local Government of Guma, we don't have upright youths who can stand up and challenge the government to be accountable and responsible to the people. But I am proud that some youths somewhere else, are doing me/us proud.

I support this protest.