Gov Idris Wada’s Development Strides In Kogi State – Jacob Edi

(A transcript of the broadcast on FRCN network Written By JACOB EDI, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media And Strategy)

By January 27 next year, the administration of Captain Idris Wada will complete four years in office. Twelve months to that period, the people of the state are already counting numerous gains of the hardworking government led by Captain Wada.

One of the first major actions the state government took was to set up a think-tank committee. That committee had the responsibility of fashioning a road-map for the state which would serve as a template of development even for successive administrations in the state

The report of the committee which membership was drawn from some of the best brains in the state has led to a well coordinated system of governance in the last three years in Kogi State.

Similarly, every administrative move is now structured to involve the people of Kogi State who have in turn endorsed all the stages of development.

As soon as Captain Wada came to office, he made a pledge to complete all ongoing projects initiated by his predecessor. The governor has kept that promise and has already completed multi million Naira projects like the Greater Lokoja Water Works, the Confluence Stadium, State Secretariat Phase II and the new Confluence Beach Hotel and a golf course is also being added to the hotel.

In addition, Captain Wada’s administration embarked on new projects in all sectors across the state. In health for instance, all General Hospitals have been renovated, some new Cottage Hospitals are being established and a modern Diagnostic Centre at the Specialist Hospital in Lokoja is almost completed.

Over five hundred bore holes are being dug across the state.

The agriculture transformation agenda and accelerated rice and cassava farms of Kogi are models being under studied by other states. Work has commenced on the twelve-storey Kogi House in the FCT, while all roads in the state capital are being rehabilitated.

Just last week, Governor Wada performed the foundation laying ceremony of the Kogi State University Teaching Hospital, Anyigba. The mega project is part of the five billion naira collected from the bond of twenty billion, which is to be used for capital projects in the state.

At the moment, the state government is spending more than Four Billion Naira to redesign and construct the IBB way from Zango- Daji to International Market into a multi lane dual carriage way complete with street lights. The constructing of a bye-pass from Ganaja to Otokiti is also ongoing. Similarly, two major Housing Projects apart from the one built for flood victims are ongoing in the state.

And talking about the flood victims, it must be put on record that the professional manner the flood was managed in Kogi state is worthy of commendation. The government timely heeded the warning from the National Meteorological Agency and went into sensitizing the people and evacuated them before the incident occurred.

The monies that came from the Federal government, Dangote and other good spirited Nigerians have been put to commendable use. Today we have a full flood village complete with modern infrastructure. Any moment from now, the structures will be handed over to those whose houses were rebuilt.

The people of Kogi State have seen and applauded the efforts of the Idris Wada administration. The people have seen the roads, light on their streets, water, hospitals and schools being constructed in their communities. They have seen that there is no more thuggery in Kogi State. They can see as the government is cleaning up the streets of Lokoja. Bassa local government which is as old as 26 years today is connected to the national grid, thanks to the present administration of the state.

Captain Idris Wada has left no one in doubt regarding his commitment to complimenting the giant strides of President Goodluck Jonathan through the Transformation Agenda and has on several occasions told the people of Kogi to support the federal government’s efforts.

Governor Wada is firmly in control of the PDP structures in Kogi state and he has maximum support of his people. 2015 election is by the corner and PDP Kogi State under Captain Idris Wada will deliver 100% votes to President Goodluck Jonathan to emerge victorious.

Governor Idris Wada has tremendously improved security within the state. He has contributed to security agencies by buying vehicles for them, ensuring that the tools they need to work are provided. Crime has reduced drastically in Kogi state. It is a known fact that Governor Wada established the Kogi State Security Trust Fund which has galvanised the efforts of the government to curb cases of crime.

In the fight against corruption, the Governor has ensured strict financial discipline in the public service and has left no one in doubt about his readiness to expose and sanction any erring officer. This strategy has restored a high level of sanity within the state and has battled corruption to standstill.

In the face of the dwindling economies globally, the Kogi state government has taken proactive steps to improve the internally generated revenue, IGR of the state. The governor has ensured constant payment of workers’ salaries despite the current economic challenges. Today, a number of investors have shown keen interest in doing business in Kogi state; a development that is already creating numerous jobs for youths of the state.

In the area of tourism, the government’s agenda is a holistic package which will see the state’s Mount Patti developed to a tourist centre with a five-star hotel, whereby people from Abuja and other parts of the country would come for relaxation.

Only a leader who truly has the interest of his people at heart would embark on this number of projects within a short time.

Governor Idris Wada is such a leader. Wada is a man who welcomes constructive criticism and carries out wide consultations before embarking on every sensitive decision.

The people of Kogi State are indeed fortunate to have a selfless, humble and visionary governor at this time. All that Captain Wada deserves now is encouragement and support to continue to provide good governance for Kogi State.