By Solomon Enejoh.
The candidate of the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) in the forth-coming 2019 Kogi East senatorial election, Comrade Amade Godwin Edime has expressed readiness to keep the Federal Government of Nigeria on its toes until the Okaba Coal Mining, Ibaji Oil Deposit, Ajaokuta Steel Company, Itobe Cement Deposit and others become operational to the benefit of the people of the state.
The fiery Comrade Edime made these assertions while addressing a cross session of some youths who accosted him while on his way to paying a courtesy call on a traditional ruler in Olufofo in Ankpa Local Government Area a few days back.
He said: “I’m ready to confront those age-long obstacles that have hindered Okaba Coal Mining Company not to work in favour of the Igala people. In fact, we understand now that it’s Dangote that is in-charge of the place. So painful that no social infrastructure can be found in that community. Also, the youth of the immediate communities of that company cannot boast of good employments in that company. This I will push with all that’s within my abilities as a senator.
“I can never have a rest as a Senator representing Kogi East while a whole lot that should get our people out of poverty and frustration are there unattended to. In fact, even if it will take me to lead a sustained protest involving all the entire youths of Kogi State at the National Assembly and the Aso Rock Villa two times every week for the rest of my tenure in the Nigerian Senate, while exploring all the other necessary lobby avenues required to kick start the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, I’m up to that task.
“Kogi will unarguably be the technology hub of the entire nation by the time Ajaokuta becomes fully operational. But if the required energy and attention are not channeled towards the execution of that gigantic project, I’m afraid, this our own generation will still come and pass without anything happening in that company.”
Hammering on the Ibaji oil deposit, Comrade Edime submitted: “The Federal Government must declare Kogi State an Oil-Producing State and allocate to her all its attendant benefits. Those are my main focal points for setting out for the senate.”
Adding, he said: “When weaklings are made to represent an entity in the midst of serious-minded men who won’t stop at nothing to attract development for their own people, the former end up returning home empty handed.” The reason, according to him, “Kogi East has been losing out on national allotments”.
In his words: “Imagine Kogi East producing the Like of Dino Melaye in the Senate. Someone who could confront any inhibition headlong in order to push the interest of the people of his zone to the national frontier. It’s imperative to state here that irrespective of whatever personal differences anyone thinks the Distinguished Senator Melaye mighthave with the governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, no one can ever dispute the fact that he has spoken most loudly than any other Senator from the Confluence State as far as the wellbeing of the people of the state is concerned.
“However, because the others have decided to remain fearfully tongue-tied or conspiratorially withdrawn to their personal comfortably built cocoon, Kogi people have to be on the receiving end, enduring all that accompany bad governance like underdevelopment in the forms of unemployment, massive austerity, diseases, insecurity and a host of others.”
“Meanwhile, I shall work towards collaborating with any state governor, regardless of political party differences so as to bring about speedy development of our land and people. I will ensure that personal interests take the back seat so that our people will enjoy the fruits of good governance at all levels,” he concluded.
