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Address by the Executive
Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris at the
grand rally to mark the 3rd anniversary of the administration 29th May,
2006
Courtesies,
With a heart full of gratitude to Almighty God, I welcome all of you to
commemorate the third year anniversary of this administration. It is
also an occasion to celebrate the return of democracy to our country
after nearly two decades in the limbo of military dictatorship. I am
pleased to welcome all our visitors from within and outside the state to
this important occasion.
I want to thank every kogite for the relative peace we have enjoyed
since the administration came on board. No doubt, the existing
atmosphere of peace, understanding and cooperation across the state has
been responsible for the monumental achievements we can point at today.
I thank you all.
When we were inaugurated in this same venue exactly three years ago, it
was not possible to mistake the anxiety and high expectation in the eyes
of our people. That was accompanied by palpable skepticism on the
ability of the new administration to bring about the desired relief.
This feeling was not misplaced because the administration inherited a
decadent infrastructure and a traumatized populace living in a debt
driven economy. Indeed, the profile of the state was not anywhere near
enviable with a heavy debt burden of over $45billion.
Today, the situation is different and all kogites can now face the
future with high hopes. We have all witnessed the humane but determined
efforts of this administration to touch lives and transform the
environment. This is why we have rolled out the drums to celebrate our
achievements and deliberate journey to better life. Wherever any person
is in Kogi today, he will not need to look far to see reasons for this
celebration.
My good people of Kogi State, let me declare from the onset that the
showers of dividends we are harvesting today, have been made possible by
our zero tolerance for corruption and commitment to frugal management of
limited resources. We have endeavoured to avoid the pitfalls of the past
that was characterized by white elephant projects, negative propaganda
tyrannical and flamboyant lifestyles of the political class. Rather, we
have been driven by the urgent need to use available number of our
people. We have been guided by the simple fact that every kogite has
equal stake in the affairs of the state. Thus we have never compromised
on the cardinal principles of justice, fairness, transparency and
prudence in the provision of our humane programmes. I am confident to
announce to you that our initiatives has been positive.
The achievements of this administration have been compiled in a booklet
that is being distributed here about now. With all sense of humility,
yet at the risk of being accused of blowing our own trumpet, let me
invite you to come with me as we take a cursory look into some of these
achievements.
This administration believes that knowledge is power which informs our
earliest resolution to completely overhaul the education sector.
Education is the most durable investment that can make our children
leaders of tomorrow. From the primary to tertiary levels, we have
redirected the education sector. My heart beld during our electioneering
campaigns in 2003. I saw pupils in public schools across the state
learning under the trees without roofs on their heads. The situation
propelled me to embark on massive provision of classroom blocks and
furniture in our primary schools. At the last count we have constructed
and completed about 800 blocks of four classrooms and offices with
appropriate furniture. All the blocks are already in use and we are
still committed to the provision of more.
At the secondary school level, we have devoted our resources to the
provision of facilities and the establishments of special science
schools all over the state. To make education less demanding on indigent
students, and in pursuit of its populist orientation, the state
government lifted the burden of WAEC fees from the parents. To this end,
government paid N186,755,000.00 as WAEC/SSCE fees for all final year
students in Kogi State in year 2005. This has ensured education without
tears in the state for the students and simultaneously given a breathing
space to the parents.
Our efforts at both primary and secondary levels, have not in anyway
affected our commitment to tertiary education, rather it has enhanced
it. Our focus at the tatiary level has been adequate provision of
infrastructure and human resources. The state Polytechnic in Lokoja has
received a befitting facelift and proper funding. Little wonder that
since the creation of the institution in 1991, it organized the first
convocation in December 2005. As we do this, we have continued to
partner with the federal government and private proprietors in the
maintenance of federal institutions and others that are privately owned
in the state. The Federal College of Education, Okene received funding
to the tune of N100million. In the same vain, ECWA School of Nursing,
Egbe was assisted with the sum of N15.0million. The epitome of our
tertiary education policy is the State University, Anyigba. It is a
public knowledge that bad planning and lopsided provision of gigantic
buildings at the expense of academic activities led to the denial of
accreditation: only 8 out of 29 programmes in the institution was
accredited by the National Universities Commission in 2004. To correct
the anomalies and bring the university to a place of glory, the
government has committed about N1.5billion to the execution of various
projects in the institution. A seasoned university administrator in the
person of Professor Francis Idachaba was also appointed Vice Chancellor.
I am proud to report to you today that our efforts have not been in
vain. During the last accreditation exercise by the NUC, Kogi State
University was considered the best university among state and private
universities in the country. The university scored 100% in the seven
programs presented for accreditation. We will not rest on our oars until
other programs of the institution are accredited.
Within these three years, we have redefined the health policy of the
state. And completed 13 cottage hospitals which were started but
abandoned at foundation level by the previous administration. In
addition, more than 20 existing hospitals have been rehabilitated and
expanded in different parts of the state. As at today, every local
government headquarter in the state has a well equipped general hospital
to serve as Referral Centres for clinics and health centres. As you are
all aware, the only state owned hospital in the state capital was
converted to a Federal Medical Centre many years ago. The centre served
the people of the state as a consulting outfit. Out determination to
reverse the ugly trend led to the construction of a modern General
Hospital in Lokoja. It will be equipped with medical facilities, fenced
and fully landscaped, at a total cost of N1.5 billion. On final
completion, the hospital will be one of the best in the federation. It
is expected that the modern hospital will be commissioned in July, 2006.
To complete the circle of comprehensive turn around in the health
sector, we have given priority to the welfare of Doctors, Pharmacists
and other Paramedical Personnel in the state. We have also enhanced
infrastructure at the School of Nursing, Obangede and Idah Health
Technology, Idah.
There is no gain saying the fact that Agriculture is the mainstay of our
economy and the major occupation of our people. That is why our approach
to the agricultural sector has been radical and all encompassing. We
have initiated programs that will assist our farmers in broadening their
farming activities. Our commitment to the Fadama Project is total. We
have made available various equipment including 250 tractors, 1,250
tricycles for luggage and passengers, several metric tones of fertilizer
and beniseeds to farmers. We have established Kogi State Agricultural
Trust Fund and paid counterpart funds of N180m to the Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN) to enable farmers access N720m loan. For all these, we
earned the commendation of the CBN as the Best Governor in Agriculture.
The Royal Agricultural Show in London also presented the Best Governor
award in a developing economy in July last year to the state.
When this administration came three years ago, there was acute shortage
of accommodation in Lokoja. To address this need and to give out hard
working civil servants the opportunity to own houses, we embarked on a
massive construction of houses. Till date we have constructed 500
housing units for civil servants on owner occupier basis. The houses
which are located at Otokiti village along Lokoja – Okene road and
Ganaja road consist of one two and three bedroom flats. These houses
have been completed and are now being inhabited. We have also built
about 30 manssionettes for Judges, Assembly members and Permanent
Secretaries.
We are not unmindful of the fact that the bulk of our people dwell in
the rural areas. The administration is determined to take the benefits
of the good life to every kogite wherever they may live. Plans are
therefore almost concluded to build 20 housing units in each of the 21
local government areas of the state. Chairmen of Local Government Areas
have been directed to make land available to the state government for
this purpose.
Our policies are targeted at transforming the urban and rural areas of
the state. Towards this end, the government embarked on the construction
of several roads across the state. The dualization of Taiwo Road
starting from Obasanjo Square to NTA roundabout and the road starting
from Stella Obasanjo Library through Government House to Kogi Hotel and
NTA roundabout are almost completed. Work is also ongoing on the
dualization of Lokoja township main road from the New International
Market through the old market, with bye pass along the bank of the River
Niger linking John Holt warehouse up to Obasanjo Square.
We have also rehabilitated failed sections of IBB Way and completed the
rehabilitation of Government House road through Federal Medical Centre
to IBB way. We have also completed the construction of the colonial Meme
Bridge and the dualisation of its access roads. This has halted the
perennial loss of lives through accidents on the hitherto notorious
single lane Meme bridge. All the road networks will have street lights
when completed. These Lokoja road projects cost the state government
N3b. Our resolve is to give Lokoja a beffiting outlook and make it a
state capital we can all be proud of.
The Obehira-Ihima-Ayere road in the central senatorial district and
Ankpa-Abejukolo-Bagana road in the east and Ijowa-Ejuku-Jege road in the
west are completed. The same goes for owowo bridge in Takete-Ide and
Olamaboro bridge in Ankpa.
In the current fiscal year, the sum of N10b has been earmarked for the
construction of 24 road projects across the state. 18 of the roads have
been awarded and the contractors fully mobilized to site. As I address
you now, the projects are in different stages of completion. We are
determined to complete all of them before the expiration of this tenure
in May next year.
We will not rest on our oars until we have opened up the rural areas
through the provision of feeder roads by direct labour. Towards this
end, we spent over 160million Naira to purchase construction equipment
including bulldozers and tippers for use by the Directorate of Rural
Development. We have also purchased 50 new Toyota buses for the State
Transport Service and the Local Governments. This measure has brough
relief to our commuters within and outside the state.
As part of our efforts to pull the economy of our state out of the woods
and make it compliant with modern trends, we have embarked on the
construction of an International Market in Lokoja. The project is put at
the cost of 3.9billion Naira. Lokoja has a strategic location with its
proximity to the FCT and more than 18 states pass through the town
either to the North or the Sourth. Our intention is to take advantage f
this special position to make Lokoja the feeder point and supplier of
goods to the FCT and other neighbouring states. This market when
completed will enhance the finance of the state through generation of
revenue.
Efforts are also on going to industrialize our state through judicious
use of our vast solid mineral potentials. To this end, our
administration is putting final touches to the establishment of sugar
factory in Ibaji and medium iron-ore company in the state. The state
government in partnership with NNDC is to establish a hydrated lime
factory in the state. We have also given great encouragement to the
management of Ajaokuta Steel Company and Dangote Group of Companies to
facilitate take-off of Obajana Cement Company. In addition to these, we
plan to establish skill empowerment centres to train out teeming youths
in various vocations. To develop the tourism and hospitality industry,
we are making arrangements to establish a five star hotel on the top of
Mount Patti and also dvelop the beach of the Confluence of the Rivers
Niger and Benue to become an international tourist attraction.
The civil service is the engine of government. Unfortunately, our
predecessor toyed with this vital sector leaving behind a disenchanted
and frustrated work force. We inherited backlog of unpaid bonuses,
allowances and salaries. In fact the civil servants were denie the basic
tools to work with. To redress the situation, salaries and allowances
are promptly paild. We have also paid leave bonuses to all categories of
workers for the year 2003, 2004 and 2005. Payment for the 2006 leave
bonuses have commenced. We have fulfilled our promises to offset the
unpaid salaries of May, 1999, May, 2000 and have not faltered on the
payment of monthly imprest to ministries and parastatals. Pensioners are
now paid harmonized pension as a result of increase of the monthly
allocation from N3m to N54m.
We have granted car loans to Permanent Secretaries, Magistrate,
Directors, Medical Doctors and several officers on grade level 13 and
above. Political appointees and Judges also benefited from the scheme.
The result of these is a civil service repositioned for better
productivity and accountability. Water is the speck of life. Since the
early days of its inception, this administration has been unwavering in
it’s determination to provide potable water for all. We have devoted
ourselves to the rehabilitation of dysfunctional water works across the
state. Among these are Lokoja Water works. Okene Water works, Idah Water
works and Ekuku Dam.
However, these rehabilitated water works were grossly inadequate to meet
the water needs of our people. Hence we took radical steps to introduce
packaged treatment plants in communities where surface water is
available. I am happy to let you know that 18 packaged treatment plants
have been put in place in various communities across the state. We
equally embarked on the construction of 10 motorised boreholes in each
of the 21 local government areas of the state. 82 of these have been
completed with over 600 schemes rehabilitated across the state.
Although we have not met out target of uninterrupted potable water
supply in every area of Kogi State, our strategies have stabilized the
sector. Towns like Ajaka, Ejule among others which have been in acute
water shortage and under the grips of water vendor syndicate have been
liberated. In Lokoja, we have multiplied the quantity of daily water
supply from above four thousand gallons to over two million gallons. We
will continue to direct our energies to this important sector until we
reach the desired destination.
I have often said that a leader that is able to address the problems of
the youths and women has put his community on the path of sustainable
development. Kogi State has a large army of youths and women, and we
have therefore initiated policies that direct their energy to useful
ventures. The youth empowerment programme is to commence on 1st June,
2006 with 2,300 youth engaged across the state.
Youth empowerment is central to our agricultural and educational
programmes. To this end, we have distributed 1,250 cargo and commuter
tricycles to youths, subsidized rates. Similarly we purchased 43
KEKENAPEP from the Federal Government for allocation to the youths.
A few weeks ago, the state government released a cheque of N50m to the
Oceanic Bank to kick start the Multi partnership micro credit fund our
counterpart contribution with the World Bank Assisted Poverty
Eradication Agency in the state from 2003 till date. In the same vein,
we have given all necessary assistance to the National Directorate of
Employment (NDE) and other similar agencies to enable our youths acquire
relevant skills to start their own small scale business. With these
programmes we have systematically dispossessed the devil of the services
of the youths.
Apart from positively engaging the youths and not making them the
devil’s workshop, the administration has given priority attention to
peace and security. Both the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Army
have been receiving logistic support to make their work easier. To this
end, we have given eleven station wagon Peugeot 504 and four Toyota
pick-up vans equipped with modern communication gadgets to the two
organizations respectively. Vehicles have also been given to vigilante
groups in the state to compliment the efforts of law enforcement
agencies. On this note, I want to thank the law enforcement agencies and
the good people of Kogi State for sustaining peace and orderliness in
our beloved state.
On ecological problems of the state, major erosion control projects have
been executed: these include Igbaruku in Yagba West LGA among others.
The Environmental Sanitation Agency has been repositioned and equipped
to carry out its function effectively. We have purchased tippers, a pay
loader, septic tank and water tankers for the agency. This
administration believes in the time honoured expression that all work
without play makes Jack a dull boy. But beyond the issue of physical
fitness all over the world, sport has become a money spinning venture.
We have done our best to put Kogi State on the map of Nigeria Sports. We
pay our sports men and women their allowances and all entitlements as a
moral booster. This state of affairs is responsible for the good outing
of our contingent to the national sports festivals in Abeokuta recently.
In that festival, Kogi State came second among the Northern States and
also faired well among all the states of the federation. The state
football club is being repositioned for better performance. Among other
things, we have donated a 32 seater Toyota Bus to the club to facilitate
the movement of its members.
Information dissemination and the mass media have received a boost.
Although the state does not have its own Television station, we have
given maximum support to the Nigerian Television Authority. Lokoja with
the provision of a transmitter station and a studio on Mount patti for
NTA. We also ensured the completion of NTA stations in Anyigba, Kabba,
Okene and Idah. Recently, we donated a Peugeot 504 Wagon car to the NTA
and plan is at advanced stage for the construction of a modern studio
and office complex that can serve as network centre for the NTA.
The state owned media have also enjoyed their share of dividends of
democracy, because all the booster stations of Radio Kogi in Itite, Egbe
and Ochaja have been rehabilitated. The same thing has been done for the
Graphic Newspapers. The office of the newspaper is in the process of
reconstruction. Aside, government has allocated new Peugeot 504 station
wagon cars to Radio Kogi, the Graphic and the Nigerian Union of
Journalists and a Toyota bus to the correspondent Chapel. More
importantly, all the media houses operating in Kogi State, including
those owned by the state have been given free hand to operate without
government interference in their news contents and programmes.
Let me at this point express my heart felt appreciation to the other
arms of government. This government has enjoyed tremendous support and
cooperation from both the legislature and the judiciary. On our part, we
will continue to provide the enabling and friendly working environment
to the two arms.
Fellow Kogites, when I look back at the path we have both trodden, I
have the satisfaction of a farmer who after a har day’s job, returns
home with bountiful harvest. We have been able to go this far because of
your unalloyed support and cooperation. We will even go further in the
days ahead if you continue to embrace the administration. As for us
here, our mandate is an unflinching commitment to the welfare of our
people. Thank you. God bless you all.
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