Candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) in the November governorship election in Kogi State, Dr. Sam Omale has promised to maximize the economic potentials of riverine communities in the state, when elected.
Speaking with our reporter in Lokoja on Monday, Dr. Omale said coastlines in several communities across nine local government areas of the state will be developed to improve livelihoods and create jobs.
The London-based revered banker and consultant lamented when cleaned up, the beauty of Lokoja, the state capital, as well as other coastlines will be revealed for enhanced tourism.
He lamented that despite being host to the confluence of rivers Niger and Benue, most of the fish consumed in Lokoja comes from outside the state.
Dr. Omale said with the development of the state’s marine economy, fishery will be enhanced and local fishermen will be empowered to meet the demand within and outside the state.
He explained that the marine economy will create dams that will be consciously deployed for irrigation purposes to enhance agriculture and ensure all year round farming.
“Our marine economy will run on six pillars: irrigation, leisure, transport, fishery, hydroelectricity, flood and erosion control.
“We will introduce modern marine transport in the state for human and cargo movements within and outside the state.
“The river coasts will be cleaned up and this will reveal the true beauty of our riverine communities. We will create coastline tourist attractions across the state given our rich marine potentials.
“Also, we will leverage on this abundant natural resources to generate hydroelectric power,” he said.
Dr. Sam Omale said the marine economy will factor in proactive mechanisms to control flood and erosion menace in the state.
He said what the state lacked since creation is vision and leadership which he promised to bring to bear when elected as the next governor of Kogi state.
