The business community in Kogi State lost over N400 million worth of investments to insecurity as a result of robbery, theft and burglary in the state in the last 18 months.
The Kogi Coalition of Business and Professional Association (KOCOBPA), who made this known during a media parley with newsmen on the way to tackle insecurity for economic revival at the weekend, informed that no fewer than 90 per cent of the people in the state are aware of the increasing cases of insecurity as over 94 per cent of the people are aware that communities in the state are becoming dangerous to live and operate business.
The report presented by the association indicated that robbery, theft and burglary constituted highest risk to the business community in the state, while unemployment was ranked as the highest cause of insecurity ,adding that other reasons are inadequate security,the use of thugs by politicians and lack of synergy between security agents and community.
The chairman of the association, Dr John Alabi , urged the state government and security agencies to do more in the area of provision of adequate security in the state, believing that there must be synergy between the security agents and the government.
Alabi stated that there is the need for the creation of a platform between the business owners and security agents, explaining that there should be increase in funding for robust security operations.
He ,however, called on government to create more skills sacquisition centres for youths empowerment in the state, adding that moral education through schools, parents and traditional rulers, will go a long way in reducing the incidence of insecurity.
