The Kogi state Government has assured of a functional local government administration that is serving rural communities better.
Special Adviser to Kogi State Governor on Media, Hon. Ismaila Isah gave the indication while fielding questions on Sunday Politics, a Flagship Programme of Trust TV.
The Governors aide who confirmed that the Local Governments Authorities in the State are autonomous as the State Governor, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo does not interfere in their affairs, said the Chairmen have been adding value to governance at that level of government.
He noted that the State has secured 15 mining licences in a bid to bring the locals into the mining business, to create job opportunities and create wealth for the people of the state.
“It will interest you to note that Kogi State has over 600 mining sites legally and there could be hundreds more that are illegal and out of all of these mining sites, state and our people are not benefiting as they ought to benefit from the resources”, he said.
“Probably only one or two of the mining sites are owned by Kogi people who are genuinely interested in the wellbeing of the local communities. Some of these people that do mining businesses don’t even care about the environment, we own the resources, but we don’t benefit in any way, and this is what the state government is worried about. That is why we are adopting a local approach in mining in Kogi state. we are going to empower 25,000 of our young people to take an active part in the business.”
On security, Isah restated that the State Government, in collaboration with neighbouring states particularly is working through intelligence gathering and surveillance towards nipping crimes and criminality in the bud.
The Special Adviser also maintained that in the Agriculture Sector, the Governor Ododo-led administration plans to provide 50,000 hectares of land for the new farming season in a bid to boost food security.
He indicated that the health sector is also getting the needed attention with hundreds of Primary Health Care Centres being remodeled, health insurance coverage for workers, pensioners and students in state-owned tertiary institutions among other interventions.
Hon Isah further stated that despite the impacts that Governor Ododo has made, he is committed to providing good governance for the people of the State, stressing that the administration understands the urgency to make meaningful impact in the lives of the people.
