After public outcry, Rockbridge set to begin construction of Otukpo township road

The management of Rock bridge construction company, the contractor handling the Federal road which passes through Otukpo has been assured of maximum protection by the Executive Chairman of Otukpo LG, Rt. Hon. George Alli.

Hon. Alli gave the assurance on Thursday, October 15, 2020, when the company management, led by its project manager, Mr. Patrick Milan paid him a visit in his office at the Otukpo LG Secretariat to lodge complaints of harassment by youths of Otukpo.

Mr. Milan who was accompanied by the company’s Accountant, Mallam Ibrahim Rufai, said he was shocked when he received a distress call from a staff of the company while he was away, that some youths of Otukpo numbering over a hundred invaded their company premises to harass them over compensation.

Speaking further Mr. Patrick Milan said, “The moment I came to Nigeria fell in love with the people of Otukpo. I go to Abuja and everywhere and I tell people that I am a Nigerian and my village is called Otukpo. When people from other states treats us badly I tell them to come to Otukpo to learn how to treat people right. I am surprised at the behaviour of those youths”.

Reacting to the complaint, a visibly angry Hon. George Alli condemned the actions of the youths in strong terms. He said the people of Otukpo are known to be friendly, hospitable and accommodating.

“Let me tender an unreserved apology to the management to the staff and management of Rockbridge about the behaviour of those youths. I condemn the invasion of your company premises in strong term. The character displayed by those youths are alien to the culture of Otukpo people. Such behaviour is totally unacceptable. We will get to the roots of this issue and nip it in the bud”.

“I want to assured the management of Rockbridge construction company of adequate protection and care at all times as you go to begin works on our road. Please be assured no one will harass any of your staff anymore”.

The Otukpo township road has remained in deplorable condition for long and it’s current bad state has been generating reactions from many quarters.

Recently some individual efforts to fix the road did not yield the desired result, prompting the Benue State Government, through the Deputy Governor, Engr. Benson Abounu to reach out to Works and Housing Minister, Barr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, for an immediate intervention.