—Releases Cheques to beneficiaries
—-Wants Communities to take ownership of projects.
By Obansa Ibrahim, Lokoja
Kogi state Government has commenced the construction of Motorised boreholes and Clinics in Odolu, Igalamela Odolu LGA, Otteh Okpo, Olamaboro LGA and Ejegbo, Ankpa local Government Area of the state.
This is as the government has challenged communities to take ownership, protect and safeguard projects located in their domain as an attraction for more projects.
The General Manager, of Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency, KGSCDA, Chief Dauda Momoh gave the charge on Saturday during the flag off of the micro projects and presentation of approval letters and Cheques to the benefiting communities of ODOLU, Otteh, and Ejegbo.
The GM, noted that the projects are for the implementation of Nigeria Action for Resilience and Economic Recovery programme for Communities and funded under the Social Services Infrastructures of NG-Cares areas of concentration, such as Water and Sanitation, Education and Health.
Represented by the Head of Operations of the Agency , Engineer Oladipupo Bayode, disclosed that, Governor Usman Ododo had earmarked a sum of #2.5bn for the Agency to carry out the intervention projects in the areas of needs of the communities and having processed the applications from various communities, approved the projects for the three communities in Kogi East.
He added that the Agency in line with the world Bank’s prioritising the provision of portable drinking water to the people have released the Cheques for first and Second tranche of the contract sum to ensure that the job is completed in earnest.
He commended the members of Community Project Management Committees CPMC for their efforts in ensuring that necessary requirements for the Projects are achieved and urged them to redouble effort in completing the Projects in record time.
He appealed to the Local Government Councils of the affected communities to post relevant health Officers to the clinics for the health needs of the people at the grassroots.
The GM charged Chiefs of the communities to ensure that the members of CPMC are put on their toes in order to deliver the projects according to design, specification and within the duration of time.
He assured the people that the next project is contingent on the quality of execution of the project, saying he is confident that the calibre of members of the Committee would execute the project that will stand the test of time.
At the palace of Onu Odolu, HRH Haruna Atuluku Opaluwa, the Royal father commended Governor Ododo for his benevolence of constructing motorised borehole and a full funded Clinic in his community.
Onuh Opaluwa , said , water scarcity especially in the dry season has been an age long challenge to his people, stressing that, with the drilling of the borehole, there would be a sigh of relief for his people.
He added that the issue of kidnapping for ransom and other crimes in the area have been tamed with the recent mass recruitment of hunters into the state security architecture and donation of vehicles and working tools has equally enhanced their performances.
He however appeal to the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, reconstruct the failed portions of Odolu- Idah expressway , which is the only linking road to the Eastern and Southern states of the country.
While applauding Gov’Ododo for the people oriented programmes and policies since he assumed office , have brought peace, tranquility and even development across the state.
He assured the government of the continued support and loyalty of his people in ensuring that the dividend of democracy he had started would be sustained.
Similarly, the Onu Ejegbo, HRH, Alhaji Isah Haruna Akoji Commended the good works of the Governor , for elevating his stool to second class status and pledge for massive support for the government.
Meanwhile, the Director of Local Government DLG Ankpa Local Government Council, a stakeholder from the community, Alhaji Usman Shaibu noted that the community has no cause to fail the government as they are poised to execute the projects according to specifications
He said, since assumption of office of the Governor, the community has remained peaceful, and commend him for the activation of security architecture in the state.
In the same vein, the Traditional ruler Otteh Okpo, chief Mohammed Audu, was full of gratitude for the Governor, who has brought to his community life changing projects in his life time.
In their separate remarks, the CPMC chairmen of Odolu, Otteh Okpo and Ejegbo assured of leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the projects are delivered accordingly for the benefits of their people.
They all pledge to use the projects as advocacy and sensitisation pitch to drum support for the Government policies and programmes.
Recall that a motorized borehole and fully equipped Clinic were approved for each of the three communities in three LGAs in kogi East even as Government will pay 19,993.000 for each community while each community would pay 2.5% of the contract sum at N449.000.