By Onwe Wisdom
In furtherance to the relentless efforts at cushioning the effect of ravaging lingering insecurities unleashed on Agatu and apa LGAs, the Honourable Member representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Standing Committee on National Inland Waterways, Hon. Pst Ojotu Ojema has Mobilized a high powered team of Engineers, Geologists and Surveyors from the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to locate a suitable site for the establishment of Jetty Terminal in Agatu LGA especially in the Riverine communities of LGA with the aim of reducing if eliminating the transportation difficulty being faced by the people of the axis to the barest minimum,
The team which was led by the Manager Engineering, NIWA National Headquarters Abuja, Engr Ejike Fidelis and assisted by the Area Manager in charge of Benue State, Engr Samuel A stormed Ocholonya Community in Agatu LGA on Sunday, 2nd June, 2024 during which the location of the site, Recognizance Survey, Geo-mapping and soil topography test of the location were carried out.
Engr Ejike in his words during the visit said; “We are here on the directive of the House of Reps Member for Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency and the Chairman, House Committee on NIWA, who influenced this project, Hon Ojotu Ojema to carry out survey on where the Jetty Terminal will be sited in Agatu and we have found Ocholonya Waterway suitable for the project”.
“This project when completed, will reduce transportation difficulty and the reduce insecurity in the Riverine axis”, Engr Ejike said.
Speaking in the same vein, the Area Manager of NIWA in charge of Benue State, Mr. Samuel A said, there was no better time to commence the project than now that the Riverine communities are confronted with the issue of insecurity that has increased the risk of movement by land, making Water transportation the most viable option in Agatu.
Responding on behalf of the Ocholonya Community, an elder statesman, Mr Patrick Oishoma who couldn’t hide his happiness, thanked Pst Ojema for locating such laudable project in their community, saying it would serve the entire people of Agatu and Apa in no small measure especially now that the land means of transportation is becoming more dangerous due to Insecurity.
It can be recalled Hon Ojotu Ojema shortly after his emergence as the House of Reps Committee Chairman on National Inland Waterways, called on NIWA to establish Jetty Terminal in Agatu and other Riverine local government in Benue State in order to curb the menace of insurgent and other form of insecurity thereby removing the difficulty faced by people of Riverine communities in the areas.
Leading the team to the project location on behalf of the Federal Lawmaker was his Media Aide, Olikita Ekani.