The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State has described the flag off of Idah-Agenebode bridge by the present administration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello as a big joke meant to hoodwink the people of the state.
The party said it was comical for a government that has failed to construct a flyover across the land, popularly known as Ganaja flyover in Lokoja, to say it wants to build a bridge across the water.
The campaign council in a statement by the deputy director, public communication, Comrade Austin Okai, said that Kogi state government lacked the financial capacity and administrative wisdom to execute a bridge across the Idah/Agenebode axis.
According to PDP, it was deceitful for a government that could not rehabilitate roads across the state capital in Lokoja, or complete the Otokiti-Ganaja bypass initiated by the immediate administration to say it would embark on a multi-billion bridge project across Idah/Agenebode to deceive the people of Kogi east
The party charged the people of the state not to play into the hands of the present leadership, who only believe in flagging off projects and not completion.
It said the project, including the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), feasibility studies and others would cost over N300 billion.
“Construction of bridge across Idah -Agenebode is a Federal government responsibility and the Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbanjo was on ground for the campaign, as it is his responsibility to flag off projects of this magnitude and not the government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello of Kogi state.
“Out of his desperate desire to return to Lugard house, the state government did not consider the Ganaja-Shintaku bridge linking the state capital as top priority but decided to scam the people of Idah, the cradle of Igala land just like he did to the Ibaji people.
“It is also curious and laughable to note that the government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello could not complete Government House gate project, endless renovation of structures in the government lodges, using it as conduit pipes to siphon public funds, but embarking on Idah/Agenebode bridge.
“It will interest the Yahaya Bello’s administration to know that the current APC national chairman and former Governor of Edo state, Adams Oshiomole, hails from Etsako, where Agenebode falls geographically and was governor of the state for eight years and Edo is an oil-producing state, but did not venture into such bogus, gigantic and white elephant project.
“After crisscrossing his area with all sorts of development to the public knowledge, because of the huge financial implications the Edo State cannot afford, so why Kogi state for mere credit and political exigency.”
The campaign council said what Kogi state government succeeded in flagging off and commissioned was the presentation of the N163 million Rolls Royce to the paramount ruler of Igalaland, the Atta Igala.
The Council, however, said that it would be unfair on the part of the state government not to present or extend similar gesture to the Ohinoyi, Obaro, Maigari, Aguma, Ohiegba, Olujumu, Elegbe, Ogori and other high-class traditional rulers from Kogi Central and Kogi West before the next month election.
PDP described the flag off and presentation of car to the Attah of Igalaland as a misplaced priority and attempt at buying the votes of the people of Kogi East.
PDP urged the people of Kogi East and the state at large to consider the non performance of the current administration and vote it out in November election in preference for the PDP’s candidate, Engineer Musa Wada.
Credit: Tribune
