Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo is desirous of developing the solid mineral resources sector of the State.
Towards this end, the Governor has put in motion and is determined to get the needed investors for the development of the sector and others.
Hon Ismaila Isah, Special Adviser on Media to the Governor of Kogi State, stated these when he featured on a Radio Interview Programme on Classic FM 94.3 Abuja, as part of his Media Engagements ahead of the first one-year anniversary of Governor Ododo in office.
Isah noted that Governor Ododo, who is the State’s Chief Marketing Officer is working hard to engage relevant Federal Agencies and the International Community as well as investors in the private sector for collaboration that will ensure that the resources of Kogi are used for the development of the State.
He also said that the Governor has been reaching out to illustrious sons and daughters of the state on the need to invest in Kogi State, pointing out that the discussions are already yielding positive results.
The Special Adviser said that with efforts of Governor Ododo, the establishment of an Industrial Park with the status of a Free Trade Zone in the State is already in the pipeline.
He also said; “Kogi State International Airport has been approved by the Federal Government, an MoU has been signed with NEXIM Bank for development of processing facilities for agricultural products for export and local industries among others”.
The Spokesman of the Governor said that prices of food items are now crashing in the state compared to the past, saying that crop processing facilities have been provided as the government has been encouraging farming by buying directly from farmers.
On security of lives and property, Isah noted that a lot has been invested in the security sector which has produced positive results, adding that apart from the purchase of gadgets as well as hundreds of vehicles and motorcycles for hunters, vigilantes and conventional security agencies, the government is also in constant touch with neighbouring states in a bid to take the fight against crimes and criminality to hideouts of criminals in and around the state.
Isah reaffirmed that Governor Ododo meant well for the Education Sector, hence the release of over N600 million for the payment of WAEC fees, restructuring of the Bursary Programme for indigent students in tertiary institutions, free education from primary to secondary schools in public schools just to mention but a few.
He added that one unique achievement of the present administration in the state is the completion of projects inherited from the immediate past administration of former Governor Yahaya Bello as it is a deliberate effort to avoid the scourge of project abandonment in the state.
According to Isah; “Such projects are the 9 kilometres GYB Junction-Zango-Zone 8 round about road and 5.5 kilometres Crusher-Zone 8 round about road which has been completed and awaiting commissioning.
