Kogi Executive Council Approves Major Projects »

The Kogi State Executive Council has approved a series of interventions covering agriculture, infrastructure, education, healthcare and public communication, while commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the ongoing reconstruction of the Abuja-Lokoja-Okene-Benin Highway.

The decisions were reached at the Council meeting presided over by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in Lokoja on Monday.

The Council praised the Federal Government for the progress recorded on the strategic highway, with Governor Ododo saying its completion would improve connectivity between the North Central and South-South geopolitical zones.

According to him, the road would ease the movement of people, goods and services, stimulate trade and investment, improve access to markets and create new economic opportunities for communities along the corridor.

In the information sector, the Council approved the renovation of the headquarters of the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation (KSBC), Lokoja, as well as the installation of solar power systems at the corporation’s radio stations in Ocheja and Okene.

It also approved the introduction of a quarterly media briefing by the Ministry of Information and Communications to provide regular updates on government policies, programmes, projects and achievements.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Timothy Ojoma, said the Council had approved and ratified the procurement of fertilisers, agricultural chemicals and other essential farm inputs for farmers.

“The Council graciously approved and ratified support to farmers, including the procurement of fertilisers, assorted chemicals and other agricultural inputs for farmers,” Ojoma said.

He said the intervention would support food production during both the wet and dry seasons, adding that agriculture remained a major priority of the administration.

Ojoma also disclosed that Kogi State had made progress towards the take-off of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ), supported by the African Development Bank.

He said the necessary studies, qualification processes and approvals had been completed, while land preparation and site allocation had progressed.

“The SAPZ programme is a major opportunity for Kogi State. Several states are competing for it, but with the support of His Excellency, Kogi is being considered as a priority,” he said.

According to him, the programme is expected to strengthen agricultural value chains, attract investment, create markets for farmers and reduce post-harvest losses.

The Commissioner said strategic road projects in parts of Ibaji, Bassa and Kabba-Bunu Local Government Areas had also received attention, noting that improved access roads would facilitate the movement of agricultural produce to processing centres and markets.

He added that the state was working with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the Bank of Agriculture on initiatives to boost food production, including plans for poultry and egg production centres across the 21 Local Government Areas.

The Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Taiye Abanika, said the Council had approved the construction of Phase Two of students’ hostel accommodation at the Confluence University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital in Okene.

The approval also covers furniture for the students’ accommodation and doctors’ quarters.

Abanika said the intervention was necessary to accommodate students progressing into clinical training and formed part of the administration’s investment in education and healthcare infrastructure.

On the Kogi International Airport, the Commissioner said construction had commenced, with site clearing, mobilisation of equipment and work on perimeter fencing already underway.

“The necessary certificates have been obtained and construction has commenced in earnest. Site clearing has been carried out and other facilities and equipment have been mobilised to the project site,” he said.

He said the airport would improve connectivity, facilitate the movement of people and goods, and create opportunities for investment and economic development.

Abanika further disclosed that the Council had approved implementation of the End Care Programme, which is expected to provide support and welfare benefits to more than 5,000 indigent residents across the state.

“The End Care Programme has been deliberated upon and approved by the Council. It will benefit over 5,000 indigent people in the state, and implementation will commence soon,” he said.

The Council also moved to reposition the administration of lottery, signage and food-related matters through new legislation.

The State Executive Council reaffirmed its commitment to implementing programmes and projects focused on infrastructure, food security, education, healthcare and economic opportunities across Kogi State.