With only a few weeks to his first
year anniversary, many feel that Gov. Yahaya Bello, should begin the process of
consolidating his administration with a view to firmly placing kogi on the path
to economic prosperity and socio-political harmony.
Having come this far, the Gov. has
successfully proved his critics wrong as kogi now prepares to join the economic
super high-way, with the rush by prospective investors to take advantage of the
investment friendly policies of his government.
Only recently, the Gov signed an MOU
with some foreign investors who have shown interest in the mining of the
numerous mineral deposits in the state including coal, byrite, and gold.
The huge revenue potential that would
accrue to Kogi from prospecting of these minerals will no doubt boost economic activity;
provide employment opportunities for both the skilled and unskilled job
seekers, there-by relieving the state government of the responsibility of being
the sole employer of labour in the state.
The Ajaokuta steel company is
currently being restructured in line with the new economic policies of the
state government as the Yahaya Bello administration prepares to partner with
the Federal Government on how to revamp the ailing industry. When fully
operational, Ajaokuta alone could help turn around the fortunes of the state as
the biggest steel company in Africa.
Similarly, the Itakpe Iron Ore,
which has been lying waste for decades is soon to bounce back as the kogi state
government seeks partnership with investors and the Federal Government in the
area of exploration and prospecting.
Determined to transform kogi into a
one- stop business destination for investors, the government has started taking
what many consider as bold steps in ensuring bigger increase in the internally
generated revenue, the introduction of tax relief for both indigenous and
foreign investors in the rich mineral deposits across the state.
Just last year, geologist from the
Federal Geological Institute, discovered that Ibaji, a local government in kogi
state has large quantity of hydrocarbon which indicates that kogi has very high
prospect of joining the league of the oil producing states in Nigeria.
This important discovery, has
attracted the attention of the amiable Gov. who has begun the process of
engaging the federal authorities on the importance of this significant
discovery and the economic benefits for kogi.
In a related development, Alhaji
Yahaya Bello, is currently studying reports on how the state can benefit in
very concrete terms from the Obajana Cement company, owned by the business
mogul, Dan Gote, which is about the largest of its type in Nigeria.
The state government is seeking to
partner with the company in areas of infra-structure development, construction
of more roads, building of schools and health centres across the state as part
of the company’s social responsibilities to host communities.
On the political front, due to the
very complex nature of kogi, and the need to balance conflicting political
interests, Yahaya Bello, has adopted the consensus building mechanism to allow
inputs from interest groups as he runs an inclusive administration in the
state.
Though expedient, many believe that
this could practically slow down the speed to give the state a paradigm shift.
Similarly, supporters of the Gov.
are unhappy with the opponents’ resort to the use of blackmail to distract him
from achieving his vision for the state. A few days ago, some hood lumps,
suspected to be acting on instruction of the enemies of the state, attempted to
rough handle the Gov. in the Lokoja Juma’at Mosque, but were repelled by fellow
worshippers and the Police on the Governor’s convoy. Having failed to get their
ways with the series of malicious litigations in courts, these same elements
are believed to be the sponsors of such attacks as a further expression of
their frustration in their campaign to unseat the governor.
It is however commendable that
despite these, Gov. Yahaya Bello, has remained focused and undaunted. Not only
has he demonstrated capacity to tolerate his traducers, as he repeatedly
preaches peace and harmony, the Governor has continued to endear himself to the
larger Kogi community with the execution of meaningful projects that directly
affect the lives of the average citizens of the state.
Of recent, the governor has turned
attention to education with the award of contracts for the over-haul and
face-lifting of secondary schools across the state. The governor has also
un-veiled plans to increase allocation to schools that record impressive
academic performance among students to encourage competition for excellence.
Henceforth, schools are to be graded
in accordance with their academic out puts at the senior school certificate
(SSCE), exams, and other relevant examinations on annual basis.
Teachers are now required to improve
on their capacity to impart qualitative education to students through regular
attendance of training and retraining in institutions for teacher’s education.
Similarly, education inspectors are now to regularly monitor schools so as to
ensure compliance with the new policy on education in the state.
At the micro-economic level, plans
are said to be afoot by the state government to organise the small and medium
scale entrepreneurs into co-operatives to enable them access bank loans to be
facilitated by government.
Efforts are also on to boost local
power generation and distribution to create the enabling environment for
increased business activity in the state metropolis.
There is no doubt that Kogi has
moved on under Gov. Yahaya Bello. All that is required is for the governor to
consolidate on the impressive achievement by making sure that officials of
government and the state legislature perform their over-sight duties to compliment
the efforts of the governor in lifting kogi to the next level.
Tags
Politics