From Joseph Amedu,Lokoja
Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, Minister of Works and Housing
Federal Controller of Works in Kogi, Engr Jimoh Kajogbola, has urged communities across the country to resist the temptation of embarking on protest over poor execution of road projects.
Kajogbola charged them that they should better cooperate and support contractors handling various road construction and rehabilitation projects, in their areas.
The controller also cautioned communities to embrace dialogue in addressing issues of anomalies and infringements in the execution of the projects.
Kajogbola gave the charge in Lokoja during a stakeholders meeting comprising Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Police Force, media professionals and representatives of the contractors.
It also had representatives of the Ganaja community in Ajaokuta Local Government Area in attendance.
He said that there was need for the communities to cooperate with the contractors to enable them deliver quality jobs, in line with the contract terms within the specified time.
According to him, contractors cannot work efficiently, without the support and cooperation of the communities in the areas where the road projects were ongoing.
Kajogbola urged them to always be patient and cautioned against mass protests, no matter how carefully planned.
He noted that protests in the current Nigerian situation should be avoided by all and in all ramifications, citing the #EndSARS scenario as still being very fresh.
The controller added that in the present era, peaceful protests could easily be hijacked by hoodlums and criminals to perpetuate evil adding, “You may start it on a good note, but you can never tell where and how it will end’.
Kajogbola however, cautioned the contractors to always ensure that they provided road signs and diversion notices, access roads, carry stakeholders along, expedite action to complete the projects within timeframe and abide by the contract specifications.
Sector Commander of the FRSC in the state, Mr Solomon Aghure, on his part, also called on the three contractors handling the Lokoja-Ganaja road rehabilitation, to consider the plight of communities, motorists and business outfits, along the route.
Aghure noted that there was the need for synergy between the contractors and community leaderships, as well as the corps for effective management of traffic, while the project works lasted, to alleviate the suffering of the motorists.
A representative of the Ganaja community, Mr Abdulrahim Okekenu appealed to the contractors to be wetting the road while work was in progress, to avoid too much dust, stressing that the dust constituted health hazard, to members of the community.
Spokesman of the contractors, Mr Ben Ikyo pledged to abide by the resolutions of the meeting, saying that efforts would be made to ensure timely completion of the rehabilitation works.
Our Correspondent reports that the meeting was convened by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, following receipt of a protest letter by the Concern Citizens in Ganaja Community, threatening mass revolt.
It latter attributed loss of lives to unrestrained diversions, excessive dust, blockage of routes without signs, slow pace of work and untold hardship being caused by the contractors.
