The Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), Comrade Idris Miliki, has advised Kogi state governor-elect, Alhaji Usman Ododo, to forge partnerships that will help drive economic development in the state.
Speaking with newsmen in Lokoja shortly after Ododo received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Miliki urged the incoming administration to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dangote Cement Company for supply of cement to the state government to kick-start construction of massive low-cost houses for the masses in the state.
He expressed optimism that such arrangement would arrest the current housing deficit, especially in Lokoja, the capital of the state, and check the skyrocketing house rent in the state.
The rights activist urged the incoming governor to set up an economic blueprint committee with people of impeccable track records of achievement.
“This will ensure people of the state know what specific policies and programmes his government has to improve the welfare and security, in addition to continuing the programs of Governor Yahaya Bello,” he said.
Miliki added that the incoming administration should consider creation of marine economy ministry to harness the potentials of rivers Niger and Benue that flows through the state.
According to him, such a ministry will boost marine transportation, plus other aquatic activities that will boost the internally generated revenue among other advantages.
He also called for a well thought out policy on tourism for the state to harness the abundant tourism potential of the state and attract foreign tourists.
Miliki also called on the Ododo government to give serious thought to the establishment of state television, and effective funding of Radio Kogi and the Graphic newspaper.
He expressed optimism that if the state could have its own television station, it would reduce the rate at which it patronizes other stations with high bills, adding that effective funding of the state radio and the newspaper would boost the morale of the staff towards greater productivity.
On the appointment of aides, Miliki urged Ododo to go for competent persons who would help run his government successfully.
He said that in as much as Ododo would want to compensate those who aided him, morally and otherwise during the campaign period, there are other people outside the political circle but with enviable track records he needed to also boost his efforts in actualizing the mandate of the people.
