By Abdullahi Suleiman
Since he assumed office as the 5th executive Governor of kogi state, he has carefully and deliberately continue to consolidate on the achievement of his predecessor-Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
Working on the Kogi economic development plan from 2024-2056 he inherited from his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello. He has achieved a lot in just 2 years of his reign in these thematic areas:
Civil service reforms- prompt payment of salaries, gratuities, leave wage backlogs to civil servants, approval and cash backs for all pending promotion and payment obligations.
Education- Aside prompt payment of teachers, he renovated some schools across the three senatorial districts. He continued with the payment of WAEC, NECO, NABTEB fees of students in public schools he inherited from his predecessor. Safe school initiative of the federal government was implemented to the fullest. All inherited projects in confluence university Osara, Kogi state university, Kabba and Prince Abubakar Audu University is receiving the necessary attention. Many buildings, faculties infrastructures, program and courses accreditation is witnessing a simultaneous attention.
Health- He had completed the renovation of 84 Primary health centers across the states, award the sum of 300,000 naira as monthly allowance to Doctors working in the state.
Infrastructure- The Governor had made concerted effort in construction of least 21km roads, drainages, bridges in each 21 local Government areas in the state. Other projects includes construction of Pension house, Audit house in the state capital and as well as renovation of roads across the state capital.
Aviation- The kogi Government had just awarded the contract for the construction of Kogi international Airport in Zairagi. This is to give investors flexibility in accessing the state anywhere in the world,ease the pressure in Nnamdu Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Investment and Economy- free trade zone and special agro processing zone- This is another landmark Projects to be cited in the industrial heart of the state-Ajaokuta local Government.It involves technology transfer, industrial parks, education and digital technology exchange between the Government of china- Khartoum province and kogi state Government.
Urban development- Kogi state is building an international market in the heart of Lokoja.
Security- The state Government recently concluded all modalities and has intergrated the kogi state vigilance service into the kogi state civil service system- this is to ensure standard, job security for the members of the scheme- the vigilance service earns not less than a 100, 000 naira per month. Recently, kogi state government purchased thrones for the security agencies to enhance intelligence sharing and surveillance of the state as part of effort to wield the state of crimes and criminalities.
Legislation- the state Government recently enacted the following laws i.Establishment of kogi state Anti corruption Agency, Establishment of kogi state electricity distribution companies amongst other life changing bill. The budget cycle of kogi state continue to maintain standard from January-December fiscal year with over 70 percent budget performance with boost in capital expenditure.
Mining- As part of effort in tapping her vast resources, the state recently secured 15 mining licenses from the federal Government- this is deliberately done to boost her IGR and create employment for the youths of the state.
Empowerment- So far, since the inception of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration, he continued the quarterly food distribution to all Local Government areas across the state as part of effort to cushion the effect of subsidy removal and other global shocks.
Governor Ododo is doing great, he has continued to build on the legacy of his predecessor with eyes on the ball. We wish him good health and foresight as he continue to pilot the affairs of the confluence of opportunities. There is no doubt that Kogi is on the right trajectory.
– Abdullahi Suleiman O.
abdullahiramat423@gmail.com.
