Monarch tasks Kogi govt to tackle insecurity in Okene

The Ohi of Okene, Dr Isah Momoh Okatahi has called on the Kogi State Government to address growing insecurities in Okene Local Government Area of the state.

Okatahi made the appeal on Monday in Lokoja during a state House of Assembly Constituency meeting for Citizens and Legislators, organized by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room in partnership with Initiative for Grassroot Advancement in Nigeria, INGRA.

The monarch noted that Okene Local Government has started suffering attacks from hoodlums causing unrest in the area.

He particularly told the Majority Leader representing Okene I State Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, Suleiman Abdulrazak who was present at the constituency meeting to use his office to ensure that those behind the resurgence of crime in the state are addressed.

“I want to remind us that there is a need for improved security in Okene Local Government and other parts of the state. We have been enjoying peace in Kogi State. I want to bring to our notice that some hoodlums have started again by kidnapping and terrorizing some parts of our environment. Some hoodlums want to capitalize on a change of Government to continue to perpetuate evil.

“Since they are at work again, we want the Majority Leader Kogi State House of Assembly who is from our constituency to use his good office to restore sanity. Okene is a gateway to many states. We must address the current security situation so that more development can come to our land” he stated.

Okatahi also drew the attention of the present administration to the lackadaisical attitude of some truck drivers in his constituency which has led to the loss of innocent lives.

According to him, “Most of the people driving trucks are young boys that are into drugs. They have caused a lot of deaths in Okene. Every single life is important. The Government should look into this issue urgently to avert further loss of lives in our constituency.

While commending the present administration led by Ahmed Usman Ododo for starting on a good note in Kogi State, the Monarch urged him to address the issue of portable water supply and provide a working fire service station in case of emergency in Okene.

Giving an overview of the constituency meeting, the Executive Director, Initiative for Grassroot Advancement in Nigeria, (INGRA) Hamza Aliyu said every citizen has the right to ask questions about the activities of the elected representatives.

“We must provide the opportunity for our people to get feedback from their elected representatives. It will allow the citizens to ask certain questions that they want to ask personally. Meetings like this are supposed to be held periodically.

Aliyu intimated the gathering that the sensitization program has been done in both the Eastern and Western Senatorial Districts of the State adding that, when such is done periodically, it will enable elected representatives to represent their interest in the development of their community.