AN OPINION POLL SURVEY IN LOKOJA TO DETERMINE THE SOCIO- ECONOMIC PRIORITIES OF THE PEOPLE.
By Mary Amodu, Lokoja.
Introduction
Our correspondent, Mary Amodu conducted an opinion poll survey on issues agitating the minds of the people that should be a major priority to the new governor.
The essence of the survey was to help determine the major needs of the people as a major departure from the tradition of imposing project on the people rather than the people determining the nature of the project they desire.
It is our conviction that they can never be a sustainable development except a need assessment is conducted.
Methodology
The survey utilised telephone contacts especially in some areas we could not get to physically and public affirmation method employed. The respondents of the poll were ordinary Kogites on the streets in Kogi State. Many are concerned about the economic and social challenges in the state. It is our believe that the new government does not have the luxury of time and we need a scale of preference about what the priorities of the people are.
The method also included a content analysis of views of some selected individuals especially opinion moulders like religious leaders. Also our correspondent visited some strategic locations like motor parks, Okada riders, beer parlous and restaurants in other to aggregate the opinion of the people.
The timing was two days after Alhaji Yahaya Bello was inaugurated.
The question was what should be the major priority of the new governor?
The objective of the survey was to set agenda for the administration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
The Result
In line with respecting the principles of data protection and privacy of the World Association for Public Opinion Research (WAPOR), many respondents opted for their names not to be included in the publication of the result.
Out of about 100 respondents comprising mostly of Kogites on the streets that were surveyed, a total of 45 wanted Alhaji Yahaya Bello to pay workers salary, pensions and gratuities.
Also about 20 respondents wanted Bello to take as a major priority youth employment. Other issues that dominated discussions are as follows: Infrastructural development, equitable distribution of resources in the State especially among the 3 ethnic groups, Education and skill acquisition, road maintenance, security and Health.
Some respondents did not object to their names to be mentioned to lend credibility to the survey. For example Favour Adeyemi, a NYSC Corp member, Kola Samuel an SSS Officer, Gwatana a civil servant, Isaq an Okada driver, Mary Shola, a Student.
Funsho, a banker urged Bello to explore the enormous tourism potential in the State. According to her, Kogi has a comparative advantage in tourism because of its uniqueness in the area of location and geography. She believe we must use what we have to get what we want.
Mariam a nurse, emphasize the need for Bello to improve on the infrastructural facilities in our hospitals, she lamented the dearth of infrastructure in our medical institutions. Also implore Alhaji Yahaya Bello to subsidize drugs.
Malik, a student spoke on the need for the new administration to put place affordable education, efficient bursary.
Most of the respondent who are members of the National Union of road transport workers appealed to the State government to fix the major roads in Lokoja Metropolis and ensure that adequate security is put in place. Many of the drivers are of the opinion that efforts should be made to fix the feeder roads in Lokoja Metropolis.
Mrs Hassan, a trader would rather expect the government to put in place a micro-financing mechanisms that would help small scale entrepreneurs in the State. Mrs Hassan argued that there are many women who are ready and willing to engage in legitimate venture but lack the necessary financial.
Mrs Ekundayo stressed the need for Bello to integrate women into his administration especially now that there is a global call for more involvement for women in governance.
Mr Onimisi Abu from Okene, stressed the need for Alhaji Yahaya Bello to consciously create a sense of unity among the ethnic groups in the State. According to him there is a strong mutual suspicion among the major ethnic groups and this can affect development in the State.
Miss Bukky is unhappy about the nature of waste management in the Kogi State, she advised Alhaji Yahaya Bello to apply a more scientific method of waste management just like it is being done in other developed countries.
Lastly, Mr Wada believed that agriculture should be number one and be accorded a befitting attention. Wada is convinced that agriculture can be used to solve major problems that are confronting the State e.g food security, agro- allied raw materials etc. Agric can also be used to build internally generated revenue and employment in the State.
Some other respondent believe that portable water supply should be adequate in other to reduce the suffering of the masses especially in Lokoja metropolis.
