When he assumed office in January 2012, Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State did not only set out to build on the achievements of his predecessors, he was also poised to raise the level of development many notches up. Nearly three years after, the numerous projects so far initiated and those completed in the state are clear indications that he is on track in his quest to change the face of Kogi State.
The Ministry of Information recently took the media on a tour of projects to assess the governor’s efforts so far. The level of work put in place so far suggests that the governor is passionate and far-sighted in his effort to transform Kogi to a modern state.
On tourism development
Lokoja is a historic city. The government has mapped out historic relics in the state. These include: the cenotaph of some national heroes; the point where the Royal Niger Company flag was switched to the Union Jack. It also includes the site of the first bank in Northern Nigeria; the first primary school in Northern Nigeria; tombs of some emirs that were arrested and brought to Lokoja by the colonial masters, among other interesting sites. The Lord Lugard House, where the former Governor-General used to rest at the top of Mount Patti, is another site being developed by the state government as a tourist attraction. Aside from the Lugard House, other tourist and historical sites have been refurbished, remodelled and renovated. Tour buses have been provided by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The ministry has also trained tour guides who are knowledgeable enough to take visitors round tourist destinations.
The government is at the point of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a partnership agreement with a private company for the development of the tourism potentials in the state, beginning with the Mount Patti. The site is being developed into a special tourist and leisure site where people can come to unwind, when they want to escape from the hustle and bustle of big cities like Abuja and Lagos. The government is also promoting excursions by schools from within and outside the state. The Confluence Hotels in Lokoja has also been developed. It has been refurbished and upgraded. For instance, a golf course has been added as part of the hotel’s facilities. The accommodation facility is also being modified, to attract a higher calibre clientele, particularly those who may want to spend time in the state for leisure or those in transit.
The bond projects
We applied for a Bond of N20 Billion and we are doing 11 projects with the fund. We have received the first tranche of N5 Billion and we have kick started all the projects conceived in respect of the Bond. In terms of prudent management, the Securities and Exchange Commission sends a team periodically to assess how the funds released is being utilised. The issuing houses monitor you to see where you are on the projects for which the fund is meant and also see the challenges you face to advise the government on steps to ensure the successful implementation of the projects. All of these affect the release of subsequent tranches of the fund. We have a team of commissioners monitoring the progress of implementation of the Bond projects to ensure that all the projects are of the right quality and the pace at which we want them to go. We also have a team of consultants who are monitoring the projects and present periodic reports to us on the performance of the projects and on any challenge the projects may be facing. This is to certify that the funds are being utilised prudently. Contracts for all the projects were awarded through due process. These are tested contractors and so far we are happy with their performance. I am satisfied that the money so far released is being used prudently.
Water Project
The Greater Lokoja Water Project was done by the previous administration but they had not completed the payment when we took over. We made substantial payments for the completion of the project. We have also been involved in the operation and maintenance. You know it is one thing to build, it is another thing to operate and maintain so that the project is of value. That is the role we have played as an administration in the Greater Lokoja Water Project.
Curbing political violence and restiveness
We were determined during the electioneering campaign not to be involved in thuggery. We made very clear statements everywhere we went that our political aspiration is not worth the loss of life of any individual or person. And that nobody should fight for us to have votes. They should just allow us to canvass for votes in the most civilised and peaceful way by talking about issues and the programmes and projects that we would bring on board if and when we get elected. I think people trusted our sincerity and that posture that we would not tolerate thuggery. And when we came in, we mobilised the security agencies to handle those who were identified with such practice or of violent dispositions and once we made example of few people. With the support of the security agencies, the posture of our government and the grace of almighty God, we have been able to control incidence of political violence in the state.
Expansion and orderly development of infrastructure in the state
We have done the mapping of the city with proper layout of different segments of the city. For instance, there are new layouts along Lokoja-Okene Road like the place where we have the permanent site of the Federal University in the state. We have also mapped out industrial areas. We are also mapping out new areas along the Ganaja bypass as you saw during your tour of the state capital. We are laying out that whole area so that people can live in an organised way. We are also looking at the eastern side of our state which is separated by Rivers Niger and Benue. We have proposed the construction of a link bridge. We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a private company to construct the bridge on a Public Private Partnership basis. The construction of the Shintaku Bridge from Lokoja to link the eastern part of the state will facilitate the link between the western part of the state and the east. The eastern part of the state capital has a considerable amount of flat land and we can exploit this link to expand the capital city. The main challenge is that the construction of the bridge is very expensive.
For now, we are doing the Geographical Information System of the state capital to restore order in land allocation and housing development in the Lokoja. That would give us clear satellite imagery of Lokoja and the neighbouring locations so we can build better houses in the city. We have mapped them out, structured them and clearly identified the places where people can build either as developers and private individuals who can own their houses and live in decent locations rather than build houses on hills.
In terms of road construction, we have awarded the contract for the construction of a four-lane carriage way. The four-lane road is the main road in our state capital. The road will be the signature road in our state to enhance the beauty and aesthetics of our capital city. We want to do it properly with good drainage system and pedestrian lanes and an embankment to protect the shore line. We want to make it a reference point in road construction in the state and to add to the beauty and aesthetics of our capital city. Because of the topography of the area and proximity to water, every time the road had been constructed in the past, it deteriorates after one year. This time around, we want to make it the reference road and you will be proud of it when you come to Lokoja. We have approved payment for mobilisation of contractors.
Unity of divergent groups in the state
Our efforts to unite our people in terms religion and ethnic groups is achieving a lot of results. In terms religion, we have the State Inter-religious Council which meets regularly in a bid to sustain religious harmony in the state. In terms ethnic balance, we have ensured equitable distribution in appointments and projects such that people can see and attest to across board. We are deliberate about equity and justice in the state.
Employment generation through Ajaokuta and Obajana Cement
Ajaokuta is the hope of Kogi state. We are making efforts to get the Federal Government to give the project the level of attention it deserves. We believe that Ajaokuta Steel Company will revolutionise Nigeria. Our transformation as a nation cannot go the full course without Ajaokuta being operational. Mr. President has said several times that he would get Ajaokuta working. I have put a lot of pressure on the Federal Government to make sure that Ajaokuta works. Recently, I worked with both the minister of Trade and Investment and that of Solid Minerals Development to see how far they are going. We are in the process of preparing a report to be presented to the Federal Government. I have visited Ajaokuta four times since I became the Governor and I have continued to encourage the management and staff and that have resulted in the rise in their morale. We are privy to the negotiations that have brought on a number of private investors in Ajaokuta. Right now there are four lines which are basically operational now. Four out of the 24 lines are working. The State also derives employment and some revenue from tax from Ajaokuta.
Obajana Cement is the largest cement project in Africa. And Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the promoter of the company has helped our state in so many ways. Recently, we signed an MOU with him to establish a vocational training Centre in Lokoja to train our young people towards self-employment. I am aware that he had committed funds and other resources to this project already.
Youth empowerment
When we came into office, one of our first programmes was to create opportunities for youth. We have a programme called Youth Advancement Programme for Kogi (YAD4KOGI). Under this programme, we take 1000 youths across the 21 LGAs in the state every 3 months. They are camped at NYSC Orientation camp in Asaya in Kabba Bunu Local Government Area of the state.
