In Kogi State, the administration of His Excellency, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo have taken applaudable steps to bring succour to the people and to a large extend have succeded in reducing the impact of economic hardship among the people of the state especially those at the grassroots.
Upon assumption of office as the executive governor of Kogi State, Gov. Ododo begin payment of improved welfare package to all categories of civil servants and pensioners, timely payment of worker’s salaries and allowances, release of funds to contractors in the state with clear mandate to engage locals especially youths and artisans with a view to boast the economy of our state.
The governor also ensure prompt payment of monthly pension and gratuities to retired workers in the state, orderly and regular distribution of food items to the people across the 21 local governments to reduce hunger.
These are short-term palliative measures designed by Kogi state government to cushion the impact of the current economic hardship in the state.
On security, Gov. Ododo has rejig the state security architecture with provision of security vehicles and gadgets, build security operational base, and employed over 1,000 local vigilantes to enhance security. The governor ensure enough security personnel are deployed to rural areas to secure farmers and land lands from criminal invasion ahead of the new planting season.
As part of his agricultural revolution in the state, Gov. Ododo has distributed improved varieties of maize seeds, rice seedlings, and cassava stems to deserving farmers while substantial amount of money was spent to refurbish tractors for agricultural mechanization. The aim is to increase food production and crash the price of food items in the market.
The administration of Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo has also sustained the free education policy in the state. The government has ensure payment of WAEC, NECO & UTME registration fees of all students of public secondary schools while arrangements have concluded to commence payment of bursaries to Kogi state students in tertiary institutions. This initiative was part of measures to ease the financial burden of parents.
It is obvious the government of Kogi state has already put in place necessary short and long term solutions to help the people mitigate the impact of economic hardship in kogi state.
The state government is also concern about the possibility of the planned protest being hijack by hoodlums to destroy critical national infrastructure and what kogi state government have done so far are exactly the demands of an average Nigerians.
So, it is expected that the state government should be allowed to continue to implement the good programs without disruption. I call on kogi youths, women, civil society organizations and interest groups to shun the propose protest in Kogi and allow the state government to continue the good work unabated.
– Hon. Zakari Yusuf Eneve, a Lawmaker, writes from Lokoja.
