By Obansa Ibrahim, Lokoja
The Semi-Annual Oversight visit of the Board of Directors of the Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency was almost turned into an appreciation rally in the Kogi Central senatorial district of the state
This was a show of appreciation by rural communities to the support received from the Kogi state government in the siting and the execution of rural projects in their communities using the Community Driven Development Approach.
The Board oversight visit was to some communities implementing projects supported by the Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency under the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Programme in Kogi Central Senatorial district.
The Oversight team comprised of Chief (Mrs.) Petra S. Bala Gbobo; Engr. Emmanuel Audu; Mr. Ben Ajodo; Mallam Sanni Muhammed; Comrade Umar Dan’Asabe and Chief Dauda O. Momoh, the Agency’s General Manager who also doubles as the Board’s Secretary.Communities visited in the zone included Anyava, Eika-Ohizenyin and Osara in Okene, Okehi and Adavi LGA respectively.
The Project sites of a group of less privileged children and poor widows known as Ize Ophans and Widows Association was also visited in Obehira, Okekere and Okengwen General Hospital in Okene LGA where the group is being supported to implement two motorized borehole projects to serve the group and communities members in those locations
A Clinic Ward renovation project and a Drug Revolving Scheme principally for the care of orphans and the widows in that area were also implemented.
The visibly elated communities’ members who spoke through their representatives Mrs. Sefiya Ajana-Salawu, Comrade Salihu Onozare Bilikisu and Mr. Benard Araga of Anyava Community, Ize Ophans and Widows Association and Osara Community appreciated the Governor, His Excellency, Yahaya Bello for providing rural communities with the basic facilities needed to make life worth living in rural areas of the state.
They described the Governor as a kind man who is always interested in making people over joyed which according to them is how they now feel in their various communities and group as at today.
In a remark after the Oversight visit, the General Manager of the Kogi state Community and Social Development Agency, Chief Dauda O. Momoh applauded the efforts of the Kogi state Governor, His Excellency, Yahaya Bello for continuously strengthening and supporting the Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency in reaching out to communities and vulnerable groups that basic services facilities have eluded for a long time.
The General Manager, was quoted as saying “His Excellency, Yahaya Bello is God sent to the rural communities in the state”The Board members on the visit were satisfied with the quality of the various projects inspected and also confident on the positive impact of such projects to the communities when completed.
The team also caution the communities and groups on the need to ensure the maintenance of all facilities provided.