Like every other State in Nigeria, Kogi State, has its ups and down especially as it relates to the issues of dwindling financial resources.
The cheering news however is that Governor Idris Wada has proven that he is a man imbued with a high sense of service.
Despite the noticed challenges posed to governance in the country, Kogi State under the leadership of Gov Idris Wada has remained a work in progress.
Towards expanding the frontiers of infrastructural and human capital development, the Wada administration in line with the driving force of a legacy of continuity, completed all projects he inherited from past administrations and also embarked on new ones, that have direct impact on the lives of the people.
Until April 2015, payment of salaries had been regular despite the shortfall in fiscal allocation. The administration particularly placed emphasis on youth employment, empowerment, and carried out several micro credit schemes others to empower the citizens.
Also, the administration improved on educational and health facilities it met on the ground across the state. The administration’s agricultural policy also placed the state on the world map as a potential food basket.
58 road Construction projects and rehabilitation stretching over 700kms including the ongoing welcome to Lokoja – International Market Road, Lokoja Township Road, Ganaja-Otokiti Bypass road, Odenyi-Oguma-Sheria road, Ankpa-Okaba road, Idah Township, Ogaminana-Obangede-Kabba Junction roads, and others across the state have been completed or are still ongoing.
The administration also established and equipped Kogi State Road Maintenance Agency (KOGROMA) charged with the responsibility of ensuring that roads in the State are motorable.
The administration is constructing a 500 Housing Units Estate at Ganaja and Crusher areas of the state. This is aside the 282 units post flood houses it had earlier completed.
Under the Water Scheme initiatives of the Wada administration is the Kabba Dam resuscitation, Ozi Dam resuscitation, Rehabilitation of water schemes in Ankpa, Idah, Egbe, Isanlu, Agaliga, Imane, Ajaka, Oguma, Ogori & Magongo, Obangede, Aiyetoro-Gbede,Okegboro, Idoji North.
Under the Rural Electrification Projects: Over 250 communities were electrified, and many others are still on-going.
In the Rural Water Projects: More than 300 communities were provided with bore holes while the monthly payment of 100 million Naira as maintenance fee for Lokoja City Water projects has remained an efforts of the Wada administration. Local Engineers were also recruited to understudy the Chinese Engineers so they can take-over maintenance.
In all, the Capt Wada administration has no doubt proven that it was focused and people centered.
So far, Capt. Wada has shown that he came with a vision, as a great manager of resources as well as a leader whose style of leadership enabled the state attained its peak.
In the last few years, Capt Wada has been able to prove that through selfless service, grand vision, integrity and the courage to stay the course that he represents, a solid foundation can be laid for the state.
As the administration winds up for the incoming government, it is important to ensure that the current wheel of development that is on course in the State must not be sacrificed on the alter of politics. The peace and stability, that is an unquantifiable asset that is been enjoyed in the state in the last four years of the Wada administration must be sustained.
Beyond sweet talk, Kogi has been placed on the threshold of genuine transformation. This is evidenced in outstanding results, the peace and tranquility that abound the state.
This feat was achieved through a leadership that was consistent, focused and purposed driven.
The last four years of Capt Wada as governor in all honesty when summed up, putting empirical evidenced of growth and development, peace and tranquility into perspective, can be said to have been geared towards truly making the state a better place to live in.
– Abu Micheal writes from Lokoja
