OFUGO’S PROTEST OVER INFRASTRUCTURE

The people of Ofugo and surrounding communities in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State are increasingly finding themselves in a difficult situation, as the activities of coal mining continue to affect their roads, land, environment and other community resources. What should concern every responsible citizen is not merely the extraction of natural resources, but what happens to the communities where those resources are being extracted. If mining activities generate income and profit, the people whose land and environment bear the consequences should not be left without basic infrastructure and meaningful development. Recently, youths from Ofugo and neighbouring communities embarked on what was described as a peaceful protest by blocking a road used by coal mining operators. The demonstration was aimed at drawing the attention of the government and the mining companies to the deplorable condition of the road linking Enabo through Ofugo and Ika. The action, in my view, should not simply be interpreted as an attempt to disrupt mining operations. It should also be understood as a desperate call from a community that wants to be heard. When roads become nearly impassable because of heavy mining activities, the people who use those roads every day are the ones who suffer the consequences. Farmers, traders, students, workers and other residents depend on these roads for their daily activities. A road that connects communities should not be allowed to deteriorate while natural resources are continuously extracted from the same environment. The government has a responsibility to listen to legitimate complaints from communities where economic activities take place. Ofugo, Ankpa and neighbouring communities continue to face serious challenges, including inadequate electricity, access to clean drinking water, functional educational facilities and healthcare infrastructure. These are basic necessities that should not remain beyond the reach of communities that contribute natural resources to the wider economy. This is why the complaints of the youths deserve serious attention rather than dismissal. Agmada Zakaria, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi State