Except the Federal Government pacifies the ‘angry ancestor’ of the communities where Ajaokuta Steel Company, the multi billion naira plant would not work, the host communities have said.
Leaders Geregu and Ajaokuta communities in Kogi State where the plant is situated said Egbunu Akoko, their ancestor is angry would not allow the plant work unless it is appeased.
Idris Aliyu, Chairman, Geregu Community Association attributed the non-completion of ASCO project to “mystical forces arising from the neglect of the communities.”
Aliyu said the ancestors were not happy over the level of neglect of the communities by the Federal Government and the operators of ASCO.
“It is not the communities that are preventing the work from being completed, it is the ancestors.
“There is a lady that had a dream two years ago and said she saw one of our ancestors, Egbunu Akoko, who told her that if the government wants ASCO to be completed, they should go and resettle his people in Geregu and Ajaokuta.” He said
He advised that the Federal Government should come back and fulfill most of the promises they made, by fixing the community roads and repair the schools.
Aliu added that ‘Egbunu Akoko’s house, which they demolished, should be rebuilt.
“Really, our ancestors are not happy over what is happening. The agreement we reached with ASCO when they acquired our lands since 1976 has not been implemented. All the promises they made they did not fulfil.
“As you were coming, you saw our road just about two kilometres from the steel plant to Geregu, you saw how rough it is and that is why you used motorbike to get to our palace.
“We have been neglected but we are praying that work should continue in the company, may be they will look into the promises they made to these two communities,” he said.
The community leaders also claimed that the government and administrators of ASCO reneged on the initial agreement of providing employment and development in the communities.