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The Kogi Government on Tuesday in Lokoja, inaugurated a 12- member UN-Habitat inter Ministerial, Department and Agency team to ensure effective interventions in the state.
Inaugurating the team, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs Folashade Ayoade-Arike, said she was particularly excited that the relevant MDAs that make up the UN-Habitat were duly represented.
According to her, the UN-Habitat had been dormant in the state in the recent past, and stressed the urgent need to revive it and make it active.
The SSG therefore urged members to cooperate and work together to form a formidable team that would bring about the desired results in the shortest possible time.
“I am soliciting for your cooperation to put in your expertise, knowledge and experiences that will result into positive movement and development in the state.
“We want Kogi to become a real tourist centre, where structures are being built, renovated and rehabilitated, thereby turning Lokoja, Kabba, Okene and Dekina into modern cities.
“I want you to start to make positive impact now,” she said.
In her remarks, the State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs Rosemary Osikoya, said the government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Human Settlements (UN-HABITAT) in 2013, comprising five-item for interventions.
She listed the interventions to include development of quality structure plan, effective sanitation and waste management system, climate change, legal framework among others.
“For UN-Habitat to be effective in Kogi, we need to set up a strong middle-level Inter MDA team, which will have an integrated approach, to making it functional beyond paper agreement.
“As at the end of 2016, the four-city structure plan was ready, but the state was yet to formally receive them, and a request for extension of timeline was made; which was approved by the State Executive Council.
“So, we are here today for a very critical appointment, to inaugurate inter MDA team critical to the conclusion of this assignment with sectoral approach to making it functional in line with Gov. Yahaya Bello’s road map.
“It is our expectation that after this inauguration, the team will work as one to fast track the accomplishments of all the goals that have been set before them,” Osikoya said
Credits: Stephen Adeleye | NAN
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