Since the return of civil rule in 1999, the Kogi State Governor Capt. Idris Wada seem to be the first to get commendation for his commitment to the completion of projects he inherited from his predecessor.
His reason for taking the bull by the horn, doing what was considered new in governance, making sure projects he inherited are not abandoned today stands him out.
Capt Idris Wada, has to a large extent set a precedence of continuity. But more importantly, he has saved the scarce resources of the state- because if he had not chosen to complete the projects, they would have been abandoned, leaving millions of Maura already spent on such projects wasted.
The decision has no doubt allowed for the State and the people to get value for money that is now a very scarce commodity to come by.
The recent completion of the new phase II State Secretariat Complex for Civil Servants is one of such projects inherited by the present administration of Capt. Idris Wada from Alumni Ibrahim Iris, his predecessor.
Other projects such as the 100 bedroom chalet at the Confluence Beach Hotel, the 40,000 capacity Confluence Stadium both of which have also been completed, the construction of roads to Mont Patti among several others that are being completed and others on-going by the Wada administration have earned the administration a plus in the eyes of patriots who appreciate continuity as a vehicle for development.
The projects he inherited and today are being completed, analysts believe if left abandoned would have amounted to a waste of tax payers money.
For Capt Idris Wada, governance is a continuum. Aside initiating several new laudable projects since he assumed office, his decision not to abandon old projects, has no doubt elicited positive commendations from well meaning Nigeria and positive thinking indigents of Kogi State.
It would be recalled that the First Lady, of Nigeria, Dame Patience Good luck, Jonathan, recently paid a working visit to the State.
She was full of praises at the Governor’s laudable initiative at completing inherited projects.
The First Lady who used the opportunity to challenge other Governors to emulate the disposition of the Wada administration, described the newly completed State Secretariat Complex as a master piece that would have been left to rot-away if it had not been completed.
For such kind words of commendation to have come from a highly placed individual as the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is commendable. The gigantic edifice will help reduce the challenges of office accommodation faced by the state work force and ensure that government businesses are conducted in a conducive environment. Certainly, the governor’s decision was not misplaced.
While it is important to State that on assumption of office, the Capt Wada’s administration made it abundantly clear, that aside making Agriculture, Infrastructure, Health and Human capital development areas of his administration’s priority, he was categorical that he will work towards completing all projects he inherited from its predecessor.
As a Government that is focused and made transparency a culture, it may not have met the expectations of the people who over the years have seen wattage through abandoning inherited projects in governance as a way of life.
Given the time frame in review of the Wada’s administration in office, every indication points to the fact that it is purposeful and has shown that a transition is taking place in the State as part of its transformation agenda.
What the present administration has achieved by ensuring that scarce resources belonging to the people are thoroughly utilized is a departure from the past and should be supported.
With the completion of the Ankpa Opulent road, another inherited project that was recently commissioned by the then visiting Katrina State Governor, Ibrahim Shea and other projects waiting to be commissioned, the call to those who dismiss everything good about the performance of the present administration in the state is for them to change their subjective way of reasoning and to have a re-think.
It is no longer news that under the present administration people now breath a fresh air of peace and security in the State. Kogi State with its great number of intellectuals in the country are appreciative of the steady and silent sic economic revolution that is on-going in the State.
Capt. Idris Wada has by his example expanded the quality of governance in the country by also establishing a culture of probity and accountability, while upholding the principles of the “Servant Leadership” in line with the social contract theory.
As the administration of Capt. Idris Wada opens another vista by its planned rehabilitation of decayed infrastructure that predates half a century in institutions like the First Primary School in Northern Nigeria among several others begging for attention, the call is for all patriots and intellectuals in the State to rise up to the challenge and play the role that their kind in other climes played in advancing the cause of their state.
This can be better achieved by confronting the evils of the pulling down Government syndrome rampant in the state, purely for political reasons.
While it should be made known that Rome as a State was not built in a day, the era of bashing those in the saddle for the sake of it is no longer fashionable.
As Government begin to put to use all inherited completed projects, the present administration in the State has never shied away from constructive criticism.
This it has done because it is a Government of the people and listens to their yearning and aspirations
