The Kogi Accountability Platform (KAP) has called on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to make good his campaign promises and convene senatorial townhall meetings to engage directly with constituents and gather feedback on his administration.
In a communiqué issued at the end of KAP meeting in Lokoja on Friday, the coalition noted that the promised townhall meetings by the Governor have not yet occurred, limiting direct citizen engagement.
The communiqué signed by Chairman, Kogi Accountability Platform (KAP), Hamza Aliyu, said promise made should be duly kept.
The coalition also urged the Governor to balance his travel commitments with his responsibilities at home, ensuring greater presence and visibility within the state.
The meeting evaluated citizen perceptions regarding the state government’s performance across key sectors impacting daily life and developed actionable recommendations for improving service delivery.
The Kogi Accountability Platform meeting observed that the current administration has demonstrated a genuine commitment to citizen-centered governance through various pronouncements and initiatives. They also agreed that the political environment in Kogi state has stabilized, with reduced tensions compared to previous administrations.
However, KAP observed that despite significant budgetary allocations for 2025, many government service providers are falling short of citizens’ expectations. It also observed that following the removal of fuel subsidies, the government’s plan for a mass transport system has not materialized, leaving residents vulnerable to exploitative private transport operators.
KAP noted that large segments of the population still lack access to potable drinking water, relying on boreholes and streams despite the state’s vast water resources. They also observed that there exists waste management crisis in the state as Lokoja, the state capital, suffers from inadequate waste management infrastructure, contributing to public health risks and environmental degradation.
The Kogi Accountability Platform called on the state government to overhaul waste management.
“The Kogi State Waste Management Agency must be restructured to implement effective waste disposal systems and establish strategic waste dump sites in Lokoja and other urban areas.
“The Ministry of Health should establish a medical waste disposal facility in Lokoja to prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases,” the communiqué read.
KAP called on the State Ministry of Transportation to develop a mass transit scheme to alleviate transportation challenges faced by citizens, particularly in Lokoja.
It also called for increased budgetary allocations to the Kogi State Ministry of Water Resources are essential for improving access to potable water statewide.
KAP, a coalition of over 30 civil society organizations (CSOs), professional organizations, and community-based groups dedicated to monitoring and assessing governance performance in Kogi state is effectively supported by Stallion Times.
The coalition reiterated its commitment to fostering accountability and improving governance in Kogi State.
