Kogi State political activist and former House of Representatives candidate for the Dekina/Bassa federal constituency, Comrade Usman Okai Austin, has called on the Kogi state government to demonstrate transparency and accountability to its citizens rather than behaving like a closed-off group.
In a recent statement, Okai criticized the state government for inviting Vice President Kashim Shettima for what he described as mere entertainment, asserting that there is nothing substantial to commission in Kogi State.
He accused the current administration of being a continuation of the eight years of mismanagement under former Governor Yahaya Bello.
Okai highlighted the government’s refusal to disclose its total wage bill and workforce numbers, noting that over 70% of workers dismissed during the Yahaya Bello and Edward Onoja administration have yet to be replaced.
He also expressed concern about the lack of information regarding the 80 communities that benefited from the World Bank’s N3 billion Agro-climate Funds.
Governor Usman Ododo recently announced the disbursement of N3 billion to over 2,381 direct beneficiaries across 170 groups from these 80 communities, which have been impacted by climate change under the Community Revolving Fund of the Agro-climate Resilience in Semi-arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project in partnership with the World Bank Group. However, Okai criticized the government for failing to provide details on how these funds are being allocated.
He further questioned the recent approval of N8 billion for various infrastructural projects at the newly established Kogi State University in Kabba, as disclosed by the state’s Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones. Okai demanded clarity on the contractors involved, the status of the funds, and whether any contracts are currently underway, especially as the Vice President visited the state for project commissioning.
“We must take government issues seriously,” Okai emphasized. “The Kogi State government under Usman Ododo appears more interested in protecting the legacy of Yahaya Bello than in serving the needs of its citizens.”
