By Ojotule Romanus
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Odoodo, has assured Ayetoro-Gbede community in Ijumu Local Government Area of his commitment to sustaining the pace of development in the area, assuring that work would resume on key projects.
This is even as he assured the community that his administration will not relent in its efforts at creating an enabling environment for infrastructure development as well as social welfare of residents of the area.
Governor Ahmed Ododo, gave the assurance when a delegation of Ayetoro-Gbede community members, led by the Olu of Ayetoro-Gbede, HRM, Oba Adewumi Sunday paid him a thank you visit in Government House, Lokoja, recently.
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The Governor commended the community for maintaining peace and sustained support for his administration. He equally used the forum to call for their prayers and guardiance as his administration makes frantic efforts to build a lasting legacy for generations to come.
While responding to the requests made by the community for enhanced welfare of residents, Governor Ododo, assured them that it was the responsibility of a responsive government to ensure the safety and security of it’s citizens as well as provide efficient and effective services.
He further expressed the resolve of his administration’s commitment to providing dividends of democracy to the people.
In his words, “i don’t see it as a requests but a reminder because that is what we have signed to do for our people”. In addition, he assured them that the construction work on the township road, which was put on hold as a result of the raining season would commence immediately the season is over.
On the request for government’s intervention in the community General Hospital project, the governor stated that this is one area that he takes very seriously and as such, he would direct the commissioner of Works and Health to visit the community and take assessment of the the state of the hospital for quick response.
Governor Ododo also directed the commissioner for Special Duties and Inter- Governmental Affairs, Hon. Sunday Faleke, who is an indegene of the community to follow it up along with his counterpart in the Ministry of Health to address the issue. He also promised to look into the Central Palace project for intervention.
On the issue of insecurity, the governor called for collaborative efforts between the government, the traditional rulers and various stakeholders in the area, just as he stated that the State Government will also interface with the owner of the Manga Cement Industry, Alhaji Dahiru Mangal, as regards the company’s social responsibility for the community.
Earlier in his address, the spoke person for the community, High Chief S. Arosefe had explained that they were in Government House to thank the governor for attending the coronation of the newly installed Olu of Ayetoro-Gbede in the community and to also request for government intervention on the community’s pressing needs which he said includes, renovation of the community’s dilapidated General Hospital, construction of a central palace, completion of the community’s township roads and as well as tackling security challenges.
According to him, the community’s General Hospital which was built in the 80s was in a delipidated state and dare need of government’s urgent action.
Chief Arosefe further stated that the community was faced with a very serious security challenge as a result of the Manga Cement Industry operations in the area.
He went on to explain that the community with approximately 40,000 population, has now grown to over 60,000 people. He deslosed that almost 99% of those working with the Cement Industry reside in the community and as such, the community ‘s utilities have been over stressed.
Also speaking, the new Olu of Ayetoro-Gbede, HRM, Oba Adewumi Sunday, commended Governor Ododo for his commitment and dedication towards building a better kogi State, just as he assured the governor of the community’s continues support .
