The Kogi state government said it has not started the Kogi Open Governance and Accountability System (KOGAS) because it is the policy of the Governor Yahaya Bello administration not to spend monies not appropriated.
A statement by the public relations officer of ministry of information and communication, Rotimi Odofin, said the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo stated this at the State House of Assembly during the 2021 budget defense of the ministry.
He said KOGAS is a beautiful initiative of the administration, “to form a symbiotic relationship between the people and the Government as well as ensure accountability and transparency”, but as good as the project is, government is conscious of its fiscal responsibility to ensure it doesn’t spend government money without appropriation.
“As a government, we have tremendous respect for the legislature. For us to execute such a project, we need the approval of the legislature.
“The Governor is committed to the project. We have started the Confluence Business Directory (CBD) and also, the zero paper archive is one of the projects we are projecting for 2021. We shall be having a state-of-the-art ICT Centre in Lokoja too”.
On the poor revenue by some parastatals under the ministry, the Commissioner said Governor Bello is supporting the ministry to improve on that.
“In terms of operations, the ministry has done well. The Graphic newspaper has started e-paper, Unity Magazine and and is online. It is good that we are looking at the financials too. Despite the fact that we are a social service Ministry, we also want to be rated as one of the highest revenue generating ministries.
“We have upgraded our printing press to one of the best in the country today and we can beat our chest that we can handle any kind of printing job. Currently, no printing press can match our equipment and technology in Kogi state.
“So 2021 will be interesting. We will do even more”.
Speaking during the defense, the Chairman of the Information, Strategy and Publicity Committee, Hon. Jimoh Musa commended the ministry for excellent performance, assuring it of the support of the Committee.
He also said there is need for a bill, mandating all government printing to be done at the Kogi Digital and Printing Services.
Also, in his closing remarks, the Vice Chairman of the Committee, Prince Collins Musa commended the Commissioner for his wonderful performance at the ministry.
He said, “we are not surprised at your wonderful presentation here. You are a round peg in a round hole. Your performance is speaking for you.
Prince Collins called on the ministry to have more booster stations across the state to widen the coverage of the broadcasting corporation.
Addressing press men after the defense, Hon. Fanwo said the ministry is honoured to have such a supportive and resourceful Committee to work with.
Other House members present at the budget defense are the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ahmed Mohammed, Hon. Kilani Olumo, Hon. Ademola Bello, Hon. Bobby Ujah, Hon. Enema Paul and Hon. Raiyi Duniya.
Also in attendance are top management staff of the ministry and heads of agencies under the ministry.
