By Abu Mike, Lokoja.
Governor Idris Wada says he is one individual who believes he has been privilege to preside over the affairs of Kogi State for almost four years.
In a media parley held with a cross section of Journalists, as part of program to hand over government on the 27th of January to Alhaji Yahaha Bello, Capt Wada, said his administration’s comprehensive approach of Transformation agenda led to the progress witnessed in human capital development and social infrastructure; industrialization and unprecedented gains in the realization of the state’s enormous agricultural potentials.
This is the second time a transition from one political party would take place in Kogi State. The first was in 2003 when Prince Abubakar Audu, of the All Nigerian Peoples Party, lost to Alhaji Ibrahim Idris of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Though the situation was tensed in the state then, the present scenario looks peaceful, one in which aside for the on going workers strike which has paralysed business activities, discussions in groups is one about the activities leading to the change of guard from Wada to Bello.
Aside setting up a Transition and a Steering Committee, to marshal the hand over, its been every day of activities inaugurating completed projects in the state.
Among some of the projects commissioned is the recent inaugurated Lokoja trailer and modern motor park. The park which is first of its kind in West Africa, has the capacity for a thousand busses, would not create employment, would improve the revenue base of the state and help clear the state highway of vehicles that park on the road.
The remodeled Kogi hotels, which is another revenue earning project would be commissioned before the exit date of the administration.
The governor as part of the hand over program, flagged off construction of the fly over bride at ganaja Junction. The project is contractor financed, would ease traffic gridlock which daily confronts commuters.
The governor also commissioned the newly built new annex complex, to house the office of the Secretary to the State Government.
The governor was also at the state polytechnic to inaugurate blocks of hostels and other lecture halls as well as science laboratory, supported by his administration and TETFUND.
At Odu, the country home of the governor, Capt Wada, commissioned a hospital and thanked the people of Dekina for standing by him in the last four years, said their prayers and support enabled him achieved the modest successes amidst scarce resources.
The governor in the media parley described the opportunity to serve in the last four years as one that offered a unique opportunity to fast track the pace of development in the state.
Wada disclosed that within the severely limited resources available, his administration fulfilled his mandate and social contract with the citizenry. While the governor acknowledged the critical role played by the generality of the people that enabled his administration to record appreciable socio- economic progress even in the face of the most serious challenges faced the state.
But amidst the challenge, Capt Wada said his administration established the first modern technical and vocational training institution in the state. He added that over a hundred major investors in different sectors were who are providing employment for thousands of youths have been attracted into the state. His administration the governor added also took decisive steps to stamp out violent crimes by delivering the most aggressive youth empowerment program that has lifted thousands of young people in the state out of hopelessness to self actualization in different trades and vocations.
Wada regretted the hardship faced hard working workers of the state who are on strike, said not until last six months, workers in the state have been paid promptly until supplement accrual from the banks to make up for the drop in monthly federation account fail to be released. Capt Wada disclosed that ninety percent of monthly allocation in the state is used to pay salaries, pension and gratuities.
He noted for instance that in 2015, revenue that accrued from federal allocation to the state was N40 billion, this was augmented by internally generated revenue of N4.7 billion. Salaries gulped about N39 billion of that, Infact, The state had to access an overdraft of 2 billion to keep government running.” he said.
Dwindling revenue which led to mix ups in the up dated payment template which the governor regrettably noted failed to capture some teachers before the state’s resources nosedive led to the challenge in the payment of teachers.
The Governor commended teachers in the state for their abiding commitment and faith in the programmes and policies of his administration which led to the upgrade of infrastructure, in about a thousand schools and improved learning conditions which saw students from the state excel in mathematics olympiad and several other academic and extra curricular contests in the last four years.
Capt Wada noted that the last four years came with its trials and tribulations but with determination, focus, courage, support of the people and the grace of God, the mission to transform the state has largely been successful. “We have significantly expanded the revenue generating base of the state, initiated a lot of infrastructural projects, encouraged investments in agriculture and other areas”. Wada also added that his administration took public private partnership, public sector reforms, human capital development, youth and women empowerment to a height never attained in the history of the state.
Capt Wada said he has in the last four years laid a foundation for a greater Kogi State by investing heavily in all sectors, adding that human capital development was taken to a height it never attained in the history of the state, as he delivered unprecedented women and youth empowerment programs that have given hope to people, stating that the state remains the home and pride of all its citizens.
The governor assured of a seamless and smooth transition arrangement, urged all the people of the state to remain law abiding and give maximum support to the incoming administration.
