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The proverbial adage that says, “Where there is a will, there is a way” cannot be more true than it has been recently demonstrated in Kogi State since the inception of the present administration ably led by the very purposeful, industrious ad amiable Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello.
There has been a definite paradigm shift in the way things were hitherto done in Kogi State. The story now is that of a state fast becoming the attraction of other states, but more importantly, foreign and local investors.
In just a year in office, the present administration in Kogi State dares to compliment the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari at the centre as Governor Bello, has not only replicated some of the President’s sweeping reforms on corruption, he has taken the bull by the horns in repositioning of the infrastructural and human capital development needs of the state.
Governor Bello’s first 365 days in office has no doubt started putting smiles on the faces of the people by bringing to the fore a number of well packaged programmes and projects aimed at bettering the lives of the generality of the people of Kogi State.
One fact that has trailed the administration of Governor Bello, is the fact that the corrupt establishment, having been thrown out of the system, have teamed up with some opposition politicians to shout to high heavens about their unacceptance of his leadership style and capacity to move the state to its next level of development.
The truth of the matter as shown by a random sampling and the opinion of people across the state, revealed that the young energetic governor is the man for the job.
Aside touching lives in many positive ways through his people-oriented programs, the governor has proven to be well caught out for the task of governance, having excelled in public and his private life. Notable amongst his people oriented policies is the up to date payment of salaries, improvement in youths and women empowerment programs. The improvement and beautification of Lokoja the state capital will also hardly go unnoticed since the assumption of office of Governor Yahaya Bello.
The several number of litigations against the governor, which he won, initially acted as a set back to the divine administration of Governor Bello, but a cursory look at the efforts of the administration amidst paucity of funds, poor working orientation of the average Kogite in the civil service. So much has and can be said to have been achieved.
More importantly, the fairness, equity and justice principle of Governor Yahaya Bello is what stands him out amongst past administrations. Today, the dichotomy that usually exists between ethnic groupings in the state has since been broken. Today, every Kogite sees himself as one, working for the collective good of the state.
One rare policy adopted by the present administration which is a departure from the norm is the desire to complete all inherited projects. This is believed would save the state from having its resources tied down under the guise of abandoned projects. For GYB, government is a continuum.
It was that idea that has since seen the administration working hard to complete the Otokiti-Ganaja by-pass multi lane carriage way and the welcome to Lokoja – to new market road just to mention a few.
Within a year, the present administration has carried out and completed the renovation of Government House buildings and eleven other offices.
The administration purchased assorted vehicles for both security and office use. The effort in security has to a large extent made Kogi State one amongst the peaceful state in Nigeria. The purchase of security vehicles was equally complemented with purchase of equipment for security agencies in the state.
The place of improved health care delivery system of the present administration saw to the provision of health infrastructure facilities to hospitals.
The last one year saw the reinvigored road maintenance agency (KOGROMA) carrying out maintenance of existing roads in the state, under the administration’s policy of zero tolerance for potholes in the state. It is safe to say, you can drive with your two eyes closed in the state capital and other parts where the Agency had intervened.
Aside completing the renovation of the State House of Assembly complex, some on-going major roads projects started by this administration include; Ogaminana-Eboga-Ipaku-Kuroko Junction road, Obehira-Okengwe/Ihima road, Agassa-Upogoro-Okene road, construction of Ganaja fly-over bridge, construction of Idah-Onyedega roads, and asphalting overlay of Ejuku-Ijowa-Jege-Ifeolukotun road, to mention but a few.
Also, the agricultural sector enjoyed the provision of agricultural input to farmers in the state, aside the total overhaul of the sector to make the state a food basket. The present administration has also intervened in the hospitality industry, by carrying out the remodeling of Kogi Hotel, and improving the facilities at the Confluence Beach Hotels.
Giving the trend and space with which the Governor Bello is going in meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the state, the state would no doubt be transformed and moved to the next evel, if the new direction policy is supported at the end of its tenure.
The pragmatic steps taken by the governor so far to affect lives positively is centred on his cardinal mission in politics, leaving impact and lasting legacies.
In just a year, it is fair to say the governor has started well. The reward for a good first year with good job done by the governor, is more work.
While it may not be out of place that yes, there are areas still to be touched and improved upon, especially in cleaning the Augean stable in the civil service and its rot, it is good to point out that the governor’s first year has been eventful and remarkable.
Without gainsaying the fact, the Kogi people are already beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel as the much talked about dividends of democracy promised them at the polls are now unfolding by the ticking of the clock.
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