Over 180 projects have been completed in three senatorial districts by Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency (KGCSDA) in the last one year.
General Manager of the Agency, Momoh Dauda disclosed this on Saturday in Obehira during the official commissioning of Ize Orphans and Widows Association Skills Acquisition Centre, in Okene Local Government of the state.
Mallam Dauda noted that the agency has been able to spread the projects across the state by having 68 completed in Kogi East, 60 in Central and 58 in Kogi West senatorial zones.
The GM of KGCSDA who urged the beneficiaries of the acquisition centre in Obehira to maintain and make good use of it added that the agency will not stop to embark on more projects to empower more persons in Kogi State.
“As from 2016 due to additional financing, we have 65 projects in Kogi East, 60 in Kogi Central and 58 in Kogi West. So if we are talking about spreading, I think we have been able to be fair to all the zones in the state.
“You can go round to monitor the projects yourself, but this one was done this way because the coordinator wants us to be part of the commissioning. Any community that’s ready can call us and help them to commission it.
“We are also trying on our own to showcase what we’ve done so far by inviting a prominent member of society or top government officials to commission some of our projects, so you won’t be surprised when you see some of them helping to commission some of our projects.
“Our appeal is always getting the people to maintain the project done. It is community driven which means they take ownership right from day one. So because of that we expect nothing less than for them to maintain the project.
“We have trained them, we have empowered them in every ways to ensure that the project is sustained and I am very sure they will.
“Truly, the funding from the World Bank is the one winding down by end of this month, it doesn’t stop the state government to continue, the projects belong to the state.
“Last year, Governor Yahaya Bello released 200 million Naira to us for some projects, we still have some funds left. We are going to have a meeting with the board my end of this month or first week of October to approve more projects so that we execute more, even if the money stops coming from state partners and I am sure we will still get more funding from the state government to execute more projects.
Earlier in a remark, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, His Royal Majesty Alhaji Dr. Abdul Rahman Ado Ibrahim, who was represented by Engr. Sule Aliyu, the Ohireku of Ebiraland thanked the state government and the World Bank for the support towards completion of the project just as he solicited for similar gesture for other pasts of the local government.
Chairperson of Ize Orphans and Widows Group Project Management Committee, Mrs. Salihu Onozare Bilkisu praised Mallam Momoh Dauda and his team from KGCSDA for their immense support to the completion of the centre just as she called for support from well meaning people in the area to procure needed working tools for the centre.
Among other skills that are to be practiced at the centre includes Ebira local weaving, hairdressing and barbing salons and tailoring.
