The Dekina/Bassa federal house of representatives hopeful, Com. Usman Austin Okai, has lamented the lack of representation for Kogi East in National affairs, adding that this is affecting the zone.
The political and social activists also pointed out that, there are no credible representation for Kogi East at the National Assembly despite having a Senate representation and series of House of Representatives. Whom he believes and dare to say, are not representing the interest of the Igala and Bassa people, but only representing the interest of their principal at the center.
The House of Representatives hopeful, also laments the dilapidated nature of the ancient bridge linking Oguma, the headquarters of the local government area of the State and Sharia a commercial city which has become a nightmare and a source of concern as the bridge has been abandoned by all successive governments for decades.
Okai, who disclosed this to journalists in Abuja, said it is something of great concern that Kogi East is lagging behind in the outlined federal government projects and nobody seems to speak about it.
According to him, “If we continue to say “it’s not my business“ posterity would speak and it would affect our children and grandchildren tomorrow.
“We cannot continue to live like this, there is a need to change this direction as it is not good for our people and if you say something, speak up, the same people you are fighting for, would give it different interpretations, but we are not afraid of that. We must speak the truth to power.
“Some people might think that it is because I’m vying for the sit of the House of Representatives, but ask yourself this, as an APC and PDP political office holder in Kogi East, how many tangible developmental projects can you take credit for in the area, absolutely nothing. We need those who can represent the interest of the common man in our senatorial zone.”
He noted that since Senator Ahmadu Ali brought Federal Poly Idah and Federal Government College, Ugwolawo, there is nothing more over there again.
Again, recently, the Federal government projected 12 Federal Universities, around the country, but no single one was allocated to the State. And there are supposed representation in the center. For how long are we as a people going to continue like this, Okai asked.
He, however, called on relevant stakeholders to join heads together for the betterment of their land if not because of them, then for their children and children’s children.