Ito Unity Forum (IUF), a socio cultural group in Benue in collaboration with Ito Youth Association has appealed to the Federal Government to urgently rehabilitate the Otukpo – Obi – Oju Federal Road to address incessant killing and kidnapping.
This is contained in a communique signed by the President of the forum, Mr. Patrick Ihuma, and made available to newsmen at the end its annual convention/security summit on Wednesday in Obi Local Government Area of the State.
The summit which has the theme: “Impacts of Insecurity on Socio Economic Development of Obi LGA and Rebuilding the Ito Our of Dreams” was aimed at finding a lasting solution to insecurity ravaging Obi Local Government and its environ.
The forum also called on the state government to construct Alade – Obarike Road to give the people of the Obi LGA a sense belonging.
It also lamented that the local government had not been linked up with state roads since it was created.
It decried infrastructural decay, dilapidated primary schools as well as unequipped primary healthcare centers across the 12 council wards of the local government.
The forum, therefore, called on the state government to rehabilitate and equip existing primary health centres across the council wards of the local government to cater to the health needs of the people in order to ensure universal health coverage.
It also called on the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP George Chuku, to strengthen security operation in Obi Police Division as well as increase surveillance around the area in order to address insecurity.
“Participants engaged in frank deliberations on the myriad of problems confronting Ito people and her socio-economic development, ranging from insecurity, poverty, lack of effective representation and poor education.
“It resolved that anybody caught in any kind of criminal activities, cultism, drugs dealing, kidnapping, aiding and abetting any form of criminality in any part of Obi LGA shall be ostracised forthwith by Ad’Utu Obi, HRH, Chief Chris Ijale.
“The forum also charged parents and guardians to brace up to their responsibility of bringing up their wards in the right moral standards and the fear of God,” the communique read in parts.
In a related development, the forum embarked on free medical outreach where more than 500 beneficiaries with various ailments were screened and treated.
While thanking individuals who contributed generously toward the noble cause, the communique indicated the resolve of the association to sustain the medical outreach by making it a yearly project.
It therefore, called on illustrious sons and daughters of Obi LGA to contribute generously toward the project and many more others.
The forum also said it had resolved to work with the traditional institution to sensitize the people on the danger of drugs abuse, cultism, cybercrime and criminality across the twelve council wards of the LGA.
The national convention/security summit drew participants from all works of life, including traditional rulers, security and economic expert among others.
