AN OPEN LETTER TO GOV ORTOM
Your Excellency: Your plan of empowering the youth in the state is a good one but the idea of buying wheelbarrows to share to the youth cannot empower them in any way but rather kill their dreams and hopes of becoming medical doctors, scientists, attorneys, and many more. It is true that wheelbarrows can facilitate domestic activities and aid farmers in carrying their farm produce home where vehicles had no access. But the construction of roads leading to the farm areas for easy accessibility is a better idea.
Sir, the youth should be given enabling environment in the state to enable them excel in their various fields rather than buying wheelbarrows for them which cannot take them anywhere close to their dreams. It is very unfortunate that since the return of democracy in the country and the state to be precise, the people of the state have not been allowed to choose what they want; rather, their leaders have continued to impose on them things that have nothing to do with their progress and destiny.
Sir, you are owing up to six months’ salaries and allowances of workers in the state and it will be more beneficial to channel the funds for the purchase of wheelbarrows for the payment of outstanding salaries and allowances of workers in the state.
Sir, you should not forget that Benue people were tired of Peoples Democratic Party’s administration in the state and needed something new. Due to that, those who were seeking for leadership positions under the then opposition party, All Progressives Congress, including you, were given the opportunity to become leaders in order to see if they can work better and make things become good in the state. Many candidates, who seemed to be good but contested under PDP, lost their elections because PDP was considered a dead political party in the state.
Nevertheless, the opportunity given to you and others in the state under APC should not be abused and taken for granted. Looking at the way things are going, it is now obvious that majority of the Benue citizens are regretting their decision and wishing that 2019 general elections arrive quickly so that they can correct their mistake.
It is a pity that the people of Benue State have suffered greatly and are still suffering for the lack of good leadership. Benue leaders have a culture of imposing things on their people. During Senator Akume’s administration, thousands of motorcycles were bought and imposed on workers to take as loan; during Suswam, pigs were bought from China and imposed on the workers and now you are buying thousands of wheelbarrows in the name of youth empowerment programme. When are we going to experience good leadership without dictatorship? Awunah Pius Terwase, Mpape, Abuja