29/11/2024
Promise kept as Senator Abba Moro flags off reconstruction of Otukpo-Obi-Oju road
The Akpegede axis of the Otukpo-Obi-Oju federal road was agog on Friday as dignitaries from far and near troøped out to witness the grand-breaking flag-off of the road by the senator representing Benue South Senatorial District and Senate Minority Leader, Comrade Abba Moro PhD.
The road, which connects Igede nation with other parts of Benue South and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has been in very bad shape for years, causing untold hardship to the people.
Senator Moro, in his speech thanked God for making the day a reality. He said the reconstruction of the road had been his long-held dream and something he had promised himself to achieve for his people.
He said for him to be the one to undertake the flag-off of the construction of the road gave him a sense of fulfilment
His words;
"Today in the annals of our history we gathered here to mark a milestone in our lives. It gives me a personal sense of fulfillment to be the one undertaking the activity of flagging off the reconstruction of the otukpo-Obi-Oju road.
"Since the Second Republic, the Oweto-Otukpo-Oju road construction has been in the domain of public discourse, yet its actualization has been a mirage in the face of too many needs competing for space in an environment of very limited resources.
"I'm not under any illusion but what should be done must be done. To doomsayers, this task is impossible but to Abba Moro and incurable optimists it is possible. One thing that I have been clear about is that my motivation is internal, based on my conscience and my commitment to the upliftment of my constituents in my firm belief that I must make a difference.
"I have always believed that I have to do what I have to do because fighting for our future and the future of generations yet unborn is the reason why you entrusted me with your mandate to represent you in the National Assembly in the first place. I seek for no external validation of my activities.
"The situation now is that a few noisy Minority have cultivated the culture of demonizing, criminãlizing and "pøisoning the well of public opinion" with so much målice and mean spirited lies that seek to overwhelm fierce urgency the plans of what am doing and what I intend to do for the people of Benue South Senatorial District.
"Many of our people are being manipulated by a vocal few with the privilege of spaces in the social media, people who are obsessed with the presence Abba Moro seeking to undermine every effort that I make. Rather than discuss the mismanagement of the construction of Oru bridge, a local government chairman requesting the police to stop work on the construction of a road because it didn't have his blessing, or a community obstructing the electrification of another community because they do not have electricity, social media users concocting innuendos and fabricating lies to undermine efforts to raise the bar of community development.
"Let me be clear here; I have lived way too much inside my own head for any of those things and people to matter to me anymore. We must take deliberate steps to raise the consciousness of people on what is desirable and achievable.
"My commitment to making a difference and ameliorating the standard of living of our people is unwavering and that is why we are here today to flag off the reconstruction of the Otukpo-Obi-Oju road.
"Thank you for your attention."
In their separate goodwill messages, the State Chairman of PDP, Rt. Hon. Ezekiel Adaji; The Minority Leader of the Benue State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mike Audu; The Adutu'Obi, Chief Chris Ijale; Barr. Tony Idikwu; Representative of Movement for Igede Advancement, Prof. Ogor Omonyi; Chief John Enyi; Former Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Hon. George Ali; Representative of the Executive Chairman of Oju LGA, Hon. Ekpo Isaac; National Coordinator of National Association of Local Government of Nigeria (NALGON) Emeritus, Hon. Shaba Ibrahim; PDP State Women Leader, Hon (Mrs) Alice Albert, and Leader of Omi'Nyi Igede in Abuja, Mr Jerry Edube all eulogized Senator Moro for the quality leadership and representation he's offering.
They commended him for having the people in his heart and attending to their needs as and at when due. They assured him of their continued prayer and support, stating that he has not failed them in any way.
Highlight of the ceremony was the formal handing over of the road to the representative of the awarding agency, NBBRI, by the Second Class Chiefs of Igede land, HRH Dr Chris Ijale and HRH Dr Dan Ulegede, who in turn handed over to the contractor, Pees Investment Ltd.
Senator Moro, thereafter, in company of the dignitaries present cut the flag-off tape and test-ran the grader.
Credit: Emmanuel Eche'Ofun John,
Media Adviser to the Senate Minority Leader
