Youths of Gunduma village in Karu local government area of Nasarawa state have protested the disruption of works on some developmental projects embarked upon by G- Complex Company, a private developer in their community.
The protest, which took place in the community, saw the youths in their numbers marching from one end of the community to the other.
The private developer, Alhaji Abdulhameed Mahamud-Zari, through his company, G-Complex Company, is currently constructing an automobile plant, a shopping mall, a hospital, an asphalt road, a private university and boreholes in the community.
Our correspondent, however, gathered that the pace of work on the projects had been slowed down due to complaints by some residents of the community on the activities of the developer.
The leader of the protesters, Mr. Yusuf Mohammed, said the youths were protesting because the developer had slowed down the pace of work and reduced the number of workers involved in the various projects, resulting in the laying off of many indigenes of the community, who were previously engaged and earned their living directly or indirectly from the ongoing projects.
He said that the slow pace of work would also affect the actual completion timeframe for the projects and delay the commencement of economic activities in the community.
Mohammed disclosed that a recent visit to the sites of the projects by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, allegedly instigated by the complainants, might also have slowed down the pace of work by the developer.
He said that youths in the community were in total support of the efforts of the developer, which, according to him, would bring development and open the community to economic opportunities.
Mohammed, however, expressed dismay over continuous complaints against the projects, saying the developer might stop the projects completely, adding that that was why they embarked on the protest to urge those kicking against the positive development to put aside their personal disaffection and embrace the general gains of the community, when the projects would have been completed.
A staff of the company, Mr. Ibrahim Yahaya, who confirmed that the pace of work had reduced due to complaints from some persons, revealed that before the current development, a total of 316 youths were employed by the company with about 200 of them ebing indigenes of the community.
He appealed to the youths not to take the laws into their hands, adding that their protest showed how much they valued the efforts of the developer, who, according to him, was determined to transform the economic situation of the community, despite the current setback.
He assured that the company would re-engage the youths of the community after all the issues had been resolved.
“We are worried with this situation, but we know the matter will be resolved. We are in the community to develop it and not to create any havoc. So, we are calling for urgent intervention from elders of Gundunma community, Emir of Keffi and other stakeholders to intervene in the situation and help to resolve the crisis,” he said.
One of the alleged complainants, Mr. Abubakar Madaki, denied being responsible for inviting the EFCC and kicking against the siting of the projects in the community, adding that he could not have kicked against efforts that would developed the community.
Also speaking, the Village head of Gundunma, Alhaji Gambo Abdulkadir, said that he was aware of the disagreement between the developer and some complainants, including Abubakar Madaki.
He, however, declined to give further details on the matter.
Abdulkadir furthered said that some farmers were not happy with the manner in which the developer acquired their farmlands, despite paying them full compensation.
He claimed ignorance about the protest by the youths, but called for calm while the matter was being resolved amicably.
