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By Yusuf Abubakar.
Senator representing Kogi East, Atai Aidoko Ali said he has no regret over his efforts at attracting huge investment to the National Biotechnology and Development Agency Centre (NABDA), zonal office located in Idah, Kogi state.
Senator Aidoko made this known at his country home over the weekend during a solidarity rally by supporters of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Kogi East that trooped his residence at Ugbamaka Iga.
He said his decision to invest such quantum fund from his constituency projects was to open up the ancient city to other family agencies and foreign investors who might explore the area for investments that will attract mass employment of our people.
“Just last week, over 11 containers of equipment and items of aquaculture and fish related activities have been brought to Idah. This is the largest investment so far in the water industry, denied by the state and federal governments,” he said.
Senator Aidoko said the age-long neglect of Kogi East by the federal and state governments, particularly the abandoned feasibility studies for the navigability of the River Niger across Idah and Lokoja has frustrated the commercial and economic potentials of the Igala race.
“For over four decades, the promise of the federal authorities to link other states through bridge, dredging of River Niger from Lokoja to Baro spread to Idah, Agenebode to Oluchi in Edo state had become mere political statement without actions.”
Senator Aidoko urged the government to collaborate with private entities to invest and explore the huge potentials wasting away in Idah, Itobe and other adjoining areas in Kogi East.
“Let me still appeal to the government to resume the navigability, dredging and the planned construction of bridge across Idah to Agenebode area to open up the area for numerous investment.”
Senator Aidoko bemoamed the neglect of Kogi East by both state and federal governments, saying if the riverine and mineral deposits like steel, coal, petroleum, calcium and others in Kogi state are explored, the idea of seeking foreign loans through the back door will not arise.
“How can we have natural mineral endowments to shoot the state to the world through private partnership and investments and government patronage, yet we preferred borrowing to mortgage the future of our generations.
“Kogi state have the most valuable and profitable mineral presence, especially in Kogi East, that will attract foreign investors, exchange ideas, reduce unemployment rates to the barest minimum, improve the small scale business, vocational and skill acquisition rather than relying on federal allocations.”
He urged both state and federal authorities to locate a zonal office of all the ministries related to agriculture and mineral resources in Idah without further delay to improve the exploration of huge mineral resources and water related activities.
“It is sad that parastatals and agencies like FIIRO and other sister agencies are not situated in Idah but Lagos alone. Who says Idah, Itobe and Ibaji area cannot attract port location where large numbers of ships from foreign countries will berth their investments and other social-ecomomic activities?
“The long neglect of Ibaji oil, Okaba-Odagbo-Okobo coals and the exploitation of the people of the area by denying corporate social responsibilities is not a good omen from the government.
“How can you come and make billions and trillions from our mineral deposits, yet we are not fit to attract social services. It is unacceptable.
“I have physically challenged the explorers and the federal authorities of Okaba coals for deliberate neglect of the area for over five decades, yet exposed the people to series of natural hazards as a result of endless exploration.”
Aidoko promised more actions on all the issues at the floor of the red chamber and urged the people to support his return in February next year.
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