Group Condemns Attack On FG Contractors

A group, Ajaokuta Local Government Youth Association, has condemned the recent attack on the contractors handling the second phase of the Federal Government Independent Power Project at Geregu.

Mr. Raheem Salami, the President of the group, made the condemnation on Tuesday in Lokoja in a statement issued to newsmen.

He said the attack on the vehicles and officials conveying materials to the site of the project by some faceless youths was inimical to the growth and development of the area.

He explained that the attack was planned and executed by outsiders and urged the security agents to go after the culprits and bring them to book to serve as a deterrent to others.

He said the attack was capable of thwarting the efforts being made by traditional rulers and other well-meaning individuals to ensure early completion of the Ajaokuta Steel Company and the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO), Itakpe.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that last week, the vehicles of the contractors, SIEMENS Construction Company conveying materials to the site of the 414 megawatts thermal power plant were ambushed by some aggrieved youths.

Salami, however, commended men of the joint Military/Police Patrol team for their quick intervention, which, he said, immediately brought the situation under control.

He said that since the commencement of work at the Geregu power project, Ajaokuta Local Government Area had witnessed several developments.

He appealed to youths in the area to adopt civilised method to drive home their demands.

Salami said members of his association were ready to work with the Ohi of Eganyi, Alhaji Musa Achuja and other traditional rulers in the area to create an enabling environment for the contractor to work and complete the project within the scheduled time.