64th Independence Anniversary; Gov. Ododo assures citizens of adequate measures to mitigate flood disasters in Kogi

By Obansa Ibrahim, Lokoja

Kogi state Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has said that one of topmost priorities of his administration now is to guide the people safely through the 2024 flood season, saying that his administration has taken proactive steps to ensure no one is caught unprepared.

The Governor who stated this in a message to commemorate the 64th Independence Anniversary of the country, said some people still do not realise the potency and urgency of the danger, hence choose to repeat government’s earlier warnings for everyone below the flood-plains of the Rivers Niger and Benue to evacuate now.

“Do not rely on only observable rainfall patterns in your area to predict the water levels. Dams upstream are releasing water, which may cause levels to rise catastrophically here without warning. To put it simply, the floods are here already.

“I however assure you that we are also in a state of maximum preparedness to respond to any incident. Our state emergency response taskfoce headed by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Joel Oyibo Salifu, has been at work since May this year, monitoring the situation and adjusting action in line with our own 2024 flood mitigation, adaptation, preparedness and response roadmap.

“We are synchronizing well with national and state emergency management agencies, as well as the various law enforcement agencies. First responders are on standby, and we have set up IDP camps in safe locations for those who may need them.

“Just last weekend we took delivery of four motorized fiberglass boats donated by the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC). These boats will enhance evacuation, as well as search and rescue efforts, should the need arise. I assure all Kogites, especially in flood-prone areas, that we are doing everything possible to prevent the loss of any life and minimize the loss of properties.

He noted that in the last nine months, while his administration confronted various existential challenges within the broader Nigerian context, he also worked hard indeed to expand on the development of the state.

“Guided by our Kogi State 32-year Transformation Plan, my administration has focused on simultaneously improving 10 key sectors that lie within the 10 thematic areas we have selected for accelerated intervention and impact.

He listed those areas to include Security, Education, Healthcare, Infrastructure, Agriculture and Social Welfare, Job Creation and Economic Diversification, Empowerment of Youth, Women and People With Special Needs, Environmental Sustainability and critically, Transparency and Accountability.

“We have distributed industrial and hand-held tractors, fertilizers and other farm inputs across all 21 Local Government Areas to boost agricultural productivity. Through the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, we cultivated over 7,000 hectares of farmland and launched initiatives like the “One Man, One Tree” campaign to promote environmental sustainability.

“Our collaboration with investors in the solid minerals sector has further expanded opportunities for economic growth. Additionally, we reduced Kogi State’s domestic debt from N121 billion to about N35 billion, which earned us a Fitch Rating of ‘B-’ with Positive Outlook.

“We have rehabilitated key roads, completed others and embarked on new projects – including the Zone 8-Barracks-Zango-Zariagi road and the ongoing dualization of the Zone 8-Zango-GYB Junction Road in Lokoja, our State capital. We also launched comprehensive gully erosion control projects across the Senatorial Districts to protect our environment and initiated the upgrade of Adogo airstrip to an international cargo airport.

“On security, we distributed 120 customised vans and 44 motorcycles to security units across the state. We also recruited hundreds of additional operatives to bolster community policing, and we are partnering with the Police and other law enforcement agencies to further strengthen our security architecture.

“In healthcare and education, massive infrastructural developments and provision of equipment in existing health facilities, schools and campuses are ongoing. We have rolled out a 10-year strategic healthcare plan to ensure that quality and affordable healthcare is available to all citizens. We also expanded our Health Insurance Scheme with a free enrollment initiative for vulnerable groups to increase access. We have revitalized the Kogi State Scholarship Board, enrolled over 45,000 young Kogites across the country into our database for educational aid and by this week or next, we shall start disbursing bursaries and scholarships to them.

“We have also recently secured accreditation and will soon be admitting more of our children, in addition to other Nigerians, to study Medicine and Surgery at our premier STEM institution, the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara.

He added that his administration has also made it a priority since his inauguration on 27th January, 2024 to effect drastic improvements in the welfare of the hardworking civil servants, adding tha his administration has now achieved the prompt and full payment of 100% salaries to all workers/employees at state and local governments, and teachers across board.

Speaking further he said “Our retirees, too, have not been left behind as we have maintained the existing payments – 100% pensions payments and the release of N100m monthly towards defraying decades worth of unpaid gratuities.

“Recognizing the risks faced by health workers, in addition to promptly settling all routine financial obligations to medical doctors and other professionals in the healthcare sector, we introduced a six-month, 35% hazard allowance, and for our veterinary doctors, we adopted the CONMESS salary structure. These actions reflect my commitment to building a motivated and well-compensated workforce, both in health and across all industries. After all, our civil servants are the engine that drives our progress as a state.

Explaining the reason behind the appointment of several aides, Governor Ododo Said,
“This is a good place to inform Kogites officially that as part of our commitment to deepening inclusivity, we appointed 717 Ward Special Assistants (WSAs) across the state in August. This initiative ensures that our governance is truly participatory by bringing leadership closer to the grassroots. You complained that in the past officials were often disconnected from the communities they were appointed to represent, and we listened. Accordingly, the WSAs actually live and work within their respective wards, and will serve as direct links between the government and the people.

“This structure not only enhances accountability and feedback but also brings added financial prudence to the mix as the combined salaries of three WSAs equate to that of one Senior Special Assistant, thus reducing the cost of governance. Through this strategy, we are empowering inhabitants of rural communities, supporting local development, and ensuring that the aspirations of our people at the grassroots have a point of contact through which they can be fully integrated into our Continuity and Consolidation Agenda.

“In furtherance of our commitment to youth empowerment and self-sufficiency, I am pleased to announce the launch of the Ododo Youth Empowerment and Skill Acquisition Programme (OYESA). This programme will commence as soon as we tidy up the modalities with our proposed partner, the Nigeria-Korea Friendship Institute (NKFI). This flagship initiative will provide over 250 youths from all 21 Local Government Areas of Kogi State with cutting-edge training in critical areas such as CNG conversion, welding and fabrication, automobile mechatronics, solar system installation, and more.