By Amos Aar
THE HOUSE of Representatives member for Gwer/Gwer West, Hon. Austin Asema Achado, has called on the federal government to hasten the execution of the contract awarded for the reconstruction of Makurdi-Aliade portion of the Makurdi-Otukpo-Enugu highway which he said in deplorable state.
Achado drew the attention of the federal government to the project on Friday while speaking as a Chief Launcher at the 70th anniversary thanksgiving mass, Luncheon, awards and fundraising at St Michael’s Secondary School, Aliade in Gwer East LGA of Benue State.
He however encouraged Gwer East local government council not to wait for the federal or state government but partner with the government to at least apply laterite on the road using Internally Generated Revenue to reduce its deplorable condition.
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Commenting on the 70th anniversary of the school in an interview with newsmen, the federal lawmaker said, “the turn up actually is not impressive because I recall in the early 70s when I was in primary 2, I attended the feast of St Michael’s and even by 1972, the Old Boys I attended was more than ten times what you have today.
“But there are issues. Look at the road from Makurdi to here, only that road can discourage a lot of people from plying it. At least you can put laterite on that road for people to use.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, Prof. Steven Ugba, who was Chairman of the Central Planning Committee (CPC) of the occasion, lamented that the dreams and vision that characterised St Michael’s Secondary School during their time do not seem to be reflected in the image projected by the modern-day campus of the institution.
The former Nigerian Ambassador to Russia also expressed displeasure over the outlook of the school, encroachment on the school land among other issues and called for the revival of the school’s fun activities and clubs such as intramural games and sports, literary and debating society, press club, Man O’ War and Bay, the Red Cross, the Tonsorial Artist Club, the Drama Club, the Dancing Club and many others.
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He however acknowledged that the school has maintained its values and integrity for 70 years.
In their separate remarks, a retired permanent secretary, federal ministry of Works, Sir Moses Braimah, retired permanent secretary in Benue State, Chief Mrs Judith Hirnyam, Senator Jacob Tilley Gyado and others solicited people of good will to support Mt St Michael’s Aliade to continue to accomplish its dreams and vision.
