Some members of the civil society in Kogi state have berated Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for failure to prioritize bridging housing gap in the state.
Speaking with newsmen in Lokoja on Wednesday, the Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolutions (CHRCR), Comrade Idris Miliki Abdul, frowned at Governor Ododo’s inability to build a single block of house since he assumed office about fifteen months ago.
Miliki said despite hosting two giant cement factories, Kogi state government has repeatedly refused to take advantage of the opporunity.
“Kogi state government has not built nor commission a room and parlour, despite the presence of Dangote cement and Mangal cement, both located in Kogi west.
“What is difficult for the government to go sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the cement companies to build infrastructures that will improve the welfare of workers and other citizens in the state?
“When Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo created the ministry of housing, people were happy thinking that more houses will be built for workers, but after more over a year in office no single house has been built. This ineptitude toward leadership is worrisome and condemnable in a state that play host to two cement companies.
“If previous administrations can build the government house, Otokiti housing estate, built 200 housing units, 500 housing units, built Aniebo quarters, built legislative quarters, workers village among others, I see no reason why the present administration is foot dragging to do the same in the interest of the citizens.
“But I don’t really know why the current administration has considered building houses for workers as a taboo. Payment of salary is not enough to improve the welfare of workers. When civil servants own houses through owner occupier basis it gives workers rest of mind and also improve their well being,” he said.
Comrade Miliki called on the governor to “make hay while the sun shines” and change the narratives in the housing sector.
Also speaking on the issue of housing deficit in Kogi state, the chairperson Kogi Accountability Platform (KAP), Hamza Aliyu lamented that if government refused to build houses for workers the effort made in paying salary regularly would be in vain as much of the salary would be used to pay high rents in Lokoja, the state capital.
He called on Governor Ododo to be proactive in attending to workers’ welfare that includes transportation, food, water, healthcare and housing.
An estate surveyor, who also lend his voice, wondered why Governor Ododo cannot embark on massive construction of estates to make houses affordable for workers in Kogi state.
“It is worrisome if after seventeen months as Governor of Kogi state the current administration can not lay foundation block any where in the state for the construction of affordable housing for workers.”
