Succeeding Against All Odds

By

 

Monday, June 14, 2004

The new Kogi State government piloted by Ibrahim Idris as governor, has overcome all obstacles to take development to the people's doorsteps

Ibrahim Idris, executive governor of Kogi State is a man with a large heart. He took over the reins of power in the state May 29, 2003, waving the olive branch. He had called on all those who had contested with him both in the governorship primaries and the governorship election proper to forget the bitter feelings that trailed the contest and join him to redeem the state which was at a standstill at the time he took over.

Idris explained why he did so in his inaugural speech at an interview with Newswatch recently. "It is human for people to be unhappy in a contest such as we had, especially if such people were defeated. But if you are lucky to be the fortunate one, the best you can do is to bring the others closer to you. Because we need the co-operation of everybody for the state to make progress. And that is what I did."

That approach paid off handsomely. It set the tone for the great transformation that has taken place in the state in the past one year. The state was peaceful and the governor, rather than dissipate energy, time and the resources of the state to fight his opponents has had enough time to concentrate on the provision of amenities which the people had been denied for a long time.

In doing so, the administration had to fight to overcome the encumberance of paucity of funds created by the heavy debt burden it inherited from the previous administration, a situation which was further compounded by the dilapidating state of infrastructure in the state.

The debt profile inherited by the Idris administration was huge. Domestic debts stood at 14.4 billion Naira while foreign debt was 341.3 million dollars. But Governor Idris did not throw up his hands in exasperation. Rather he took the gloomy financial situation as a challenge. He has since started repaying the loans.

In doing so, his background in business has come in handy. He has been very thorough in administering the finances of the state. Under the Idris administration, there are no bogus approvals. All proposals are carefully vetted. This has resulted in a situation whereby the state has been able to achieve a lot with its lean resources.

Already the government has repaid over N1.5 billion of its foreign debts. On the domestic front, the government has put smiles on the faces of the state's long-neglected pensioners. So far, the government has spent over 327 million naira on the payment of arrears of pensions and gratuities. Also, the proceeds of N147 million from the sale of fertilizer allocated to the state by the Federal Government which was misappropriated by the past administration has been fully paid to the federal ministry of agriculture.

There was also the two billion naira loan which the former administration took from the Continental Trust Bank. The loan was spent on unverified projects, but was not serviced until Idris took over. The administration has now fully redeemed the loan.

As part of its efforts to revive the state's dying primary education system, the Idris administration had to take steps to give hope to teachers whose salaries and leave bonuses had been left unpaid by the previous administration. The new government has cleared the backlog of teachers salaries and their 2003 leave bonuses of about N285.3 million.

The decision of the Idris administration to pay debts it inherited has won for it the confidence of its creditors and civil servants. But it, no doubt, affected its determination to execute projects on the scale and at the speed it had wished. Nevertheless, it made an impressive showing and in doing so, it was guided by the philosophy of even-spread.

General Administration

Prior to the coming on board of the PDP-led administration in the state, the entire public/civil service system had been grounded and made redundant due to total neglect. Civil servants were made to suffer the pangs of several months of unpaid salaries and other fringe benefits, while necessary incentives were not provided for their smooth operations. In the same vein, retired civil servants were denied their stipends even though their lives virtually depended on the pay.

The present government, therefore, inherited a dysfunctional civil service. But the government recognised quite on time that the civil service, as the engine room of government, needed to be revitalised and re-invigorated.

From the beginning, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris described the kind of civil service he wanted. "We, therefore, want a vibrant and result-oriented civil service that will implement government programmes with speed and precision," the governor said, while swearing-in the head of service in June 2003. The Alhaji Ibrahim Idris-led government has within its first 365 days repositioned the state public service through the provision for a flourishing public sector. The effect of this could evidently be seen in the enhanced and effective performance of their statutory roles by the various ministries, agencies and parastatals.

The government has not only promptly and regularly paid the salaries of workers in the state but has also looked into the arbitrary tax assessment imposed on civil servants by the immediate past administration in the state with a view to rectifying it.

The year 2003 leave allowances of the state workforce has been paid with a sum of N385.3 million naira while government is making frantic efforts to clear the backlog of leave allowances owed workers by the past administration. The administration of Idris has expended over N3.27 million naira to settle harmonised pension and gratuity obligations to retired public officers.

To enhance the functionality of the various ministries and parastatals, the present administration re-introduced the payment of imprest which was not paid by the past administration. This has gone a long way to reposition the public service for better service delivery, giving a sense of belonging and recognition to the workers.

As part of its efforts to develop the skill of the civil servants, the state government has given attention to their training and retraining. A total of 109 officers were sent for various courses in institutions of higher learning. Government equally sponsored 10 officers in record management in addition to the regular training of civil servants at the Staff Development Centre and regular seminars and workshops for civil servants at the state and local government levels.

In other to enhance the welfare of civil servants and public officers, government purchased Peugeot 406 car on loans for members of the State Executive Council, House of Assembly, special advisers and senior special assistants. Recently, government also presented new Peugeot 406 cars to all Judges in the state, while the chief judge and grand khadi got Peugeot 607. Vehicle loans of N1.7 Million and N500,000 each were given to permanent secretaries and magistrates, respectively. On the whole government disbursed a total of 912.8 million naira on vehicles to government officials in the three arms of government.

Road Construction

Road development was given the lion share of N6.1 billion in the year 2004 budget. This is because majority of the roads in the state is in terrible state of disrepair. This is causing the people of the state untold hardship and hampering socio-economic development. As a first step to address this situation, government awarded contract for the construction of three major roads in the three senatorial districts of the state. These are Obehira-Ihima-Ayere road at a cost of N780 million, Ankpa-Icheke-Abejukolo-Bagana road at a cost of N1.9 billion and Ijowa-Jege-Ejuku road at a cost of N800 million.

These are three out of the many roads either rehabilitated or reconstructed by the present administration. These roads are of great importance because of their spread across the three senatorial districts of the state. Work is in full progress on the road projects while five brand new Peugeot 504 vehicles were also purchased for a total sum of N14,571,125 for effective monitoring and supervision of the projects. In addition, the state government is to construct at least one road in each of the 21 local government areas of the state before the end of 2004, while more township roads have been slated for rehabilitation in major towns in the state in this fiscal year.

Erosion Control

Before the present administration came on board, the menace of gully erosion had threatened so many communities in the state while some had been completely cut off. This problem has been effectively tackled by the state government. Some of the erosion control projects executed are:

* Erosion mitigation at Ugwolawo and Umomi township at the cost of N1.5 million.

* Reclamation work on Lokoja-Ganaja-Ajaokuta at a cost of N15.9 million.

* Erosion control in Iyale at a cost of N20 million.

* Erosion control in various parts of Ugwolawo township at the cost of N2 million.

Owowo Bridge Project

Prior to the inception of this administration, successive governments in the state had awarded contracts for the construction of the Owowo Bridge at Itakete-Ide in Mopamuro Local Government area of the state without the implementation of such contacts. The bridge had turned a nightmare for indigenes of the area who are usually cut off from their kinsmen every raining season. But the Idris-led government has broken the jinx concerning this bridge by re-awarding the contract for its construction for a total sum of N7 million. The bridge is now almost completed.

Meme Bridge

The construction of Meme bridge along Army barracks road, Lokoja is a historic achievement of the Ibrahim Idris administration. The bridge which is narrow has been the nightmare of the people who live in and around the military barracks, Lokoja and motorists who come into Lokoja through the southwestern part of the state. The bridge had claimed innocent lives through frequent accidents for decades, while successive governments had failed to reconstruct it. Governor Idris awarded the contract for the construction of the bridge as well as the road up to the Army barracks at a cost of N208 million naira. The contractor has been mobilised to site and work has commenced in earnest

Mabulo Bridge, Ankpa

Mabulo bridge in Ankpa is on a federal road that links Kogi State with Benue and other neighbouring states. The temporary colonial bridge has the peculiar problem of being submerged by sand due to erosion and the massive water of the river. Those living on the eastern axis of Ankpa suffer untold hardship every year as they are usually cut off from the rest of the town. The situation has been arrested by the provision of the sum of N25 million for the construction of the bridge.

Housing

Remarkable progress has been made in the housing sector within the 365 days of this administration. The government has acquired and cleared large expanse of land along Army Barracks road for the purpose of constructing 500 units housing estate. The estate consists of three, two and one bedroom bungalows. Prototypes of the three categories have been completed by the Building Engineering Department of the Ministry of Works and Housing. Government has paid N18.2 million as compensation to those whose land was acquired for the project. The contract for the construction of the first phase, consisting of 200 housing units has been awarded for a total sum of N159,250,000.

Electricity Supply

In a bid to improve power supply to some rural communities in the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris approved and released the sum of N6 million for the purchase and installation of transformers and other assorted electrical materials needed for the upgrading of power in seven communities. They include College of Education, Ankpa, Ogale, Kabawa, Angwa Yashi, Adankolo, Angwa Kura and Egbeda-Egga.

Education

Education is one of the sectors that the administration of Governor Ibrahim Idris gave priority attention in view of its importance to the future of the state and its people. The government embarked on massive re-building of primary schools since its inception in order to address the utter neglect of the past and provide a conducive learning environment for the children. A total sum of N523,000,000 has been expended on the construction of 482 classroom blocks spread across the three senatorial districts of the state.

The WAEC and NECO examination fees were reduced from arbitrary charges to a fix sum of N6,500 in order to ease the burden on parents and enable poor students to sit for the examinations. The present administration has also provided additional 1,160 dual desks for primary schools under the World Bank Assisted Projects. One engine boat was purchased for the supervision of schools in the riverine areas of the state.

The administration has, in the past one year, paid adequate attention to the provision of basic infrastructure in secondary school so as to ensure qualitative education. A sum of N34 million was released to the Teaching Service Commission to offset its May, 2003 salary arrears to teachers which the immediate past administration refused to service.

The administration has expended over N10 million on the provision of science and technological equipment in secondary schools.

Tertiary Institutions

Before the inception of the present administration state-owned tertiary institutions, especially the state university, were loosing staff to other institutions due to the non-implementation of 22 percent salary increase granted lecturers by the Federal Government. Immediately he assumed office, Governor Idris approved the implementation of the salary increase for the staff of the Kogi State University, Anyigba; the Polytechnic, Lokoja and the College of Education, Ankpa.

Other outstanding achievements recorded by the administration of Governor Idris include the release of N15 million to Kogi State University, Anyigba, for the provision of books and other facilities for the accreditation of its law programme.

The Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja was also provided with facilities to enable it meet accreditation requirements for its courses, most of which had not been accredited since its birth 12 years ago. The Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa was given a boost by the provision of transformer, generating set, potable water and other essential facilities for the comfort of the students.

The administration has made history by restoring payment of bursary awards to all Kogi State students in higher institutions in the country. The sum of N137 million for the bursary was disbursed to the students through the state Ministry of Education. The state government also donated a new bus purchased at the sum of N3,590,000 to Kogi State Students Association to encourage a strong and purposeful student unionism.

 

Potable Water

Water as an essential human need has received tremendous attention in the past one year under Governor Ibrahim Idris. The situation he met on ground was simply precarious as major water schemes like Lokoja Water Works, Okene Water Works, Ekuku Dam, Okene, Idah Water Works and several others were broken down while the citizens were in great hardship due to acute shortage of potable water. This situation has been substantially addressed and water supply in various parts of the state has improved tremendously.

Idah Water Works has been rehabilitated and restructured with over 10 million naira to pump one million gallons of water everyday. New pipeline network has been laid in Idah to facilitate distribution of water to all nooks and crannies of the town.

In Lokoja the capital, the waterworks was rehabilitated with over eight million naira to operate at full capacity. Chemicals and diesel are in regular supply. The broken down Kabawa water schemes were also rehabilitated to ensure adequate water supply in the state capital. Two new motorised borehole water scheme are being built for Madabo, Angwa Tiv and Adankolo areas of Lokoja. All these have reached advanced stages of completion. Over 100 broken down boreholes have also been rehabilitated within Lokoja metropolis and in other parts of the state.

As a long-term solution to the problem of shortage of water in both urban and rural areas in the state, government recently awarded contract for the building of 40 water treatment packages covering 22 towns and villages at a total cost of 400 million naira.

Agriculture and Natural

Resources

Agriculture has been brought to the centrestage of the economy from its relegated position. Within two months of assumption of office, Governor Idris purchased 27 tractors and accessories at a total cost of N120 million and distributed them to the 21 local government areas of the state for the benefit of the rural farmers.

Hitherto, farmers in the state could not obtain fertilizer for their use because the state had been blacklisted as the last administration collected fertilizers from the federal government to the tune of 147 million naira, without remitting the money to the appropriate quarters.

Governor Idris promptly paid the debt and followed it up with the purchase of 150 trailer loads of assorted fertilizer which was distributed to the door step of farmers throughout the state during last year farming season. This year, over 250 trailer loads of fertilizer have been provided for the farmers. More than 16 million naira has been expended on the purchase and distribution of fertilizers.

The state government has also established the State Agricultural Development Trust Fund and paid 30 million naira as counterpart fund for the take off of the fund which has given the farmers access to credit facilities of 150 million naira. Government has also paid its counterpart fund in the IFAD World Bank and loan scheme for root and tuber crops and ECOWAS loan scheme for fishermen, amounting to over 60 million naira. More than 90 fishermen have benefited from the loan scheme.

Information Dissemination

The importance attached to adequate information dissemination and the need to receive necessary feedback from the people prompted the present government to make all its channels of information efficient and responsive.

The Ministry of Information has been reinvigorated and efforts have been made to maintain an information data bank in the ministry's headquarters.

A public enlightenment programme titled: Kogi State Harvest of Change, produced by the ministry and transmitted on the Nigerian Television Authority, Lokoja has added value to the worth of the state's information organs, which are used not only to inform the people of the state but also to educate and entertain them.

Environmental Sanitation

Before the present administration came on board, major towns, especially the state capital and its environs were environmentally degraded due to haphazard development, erosion and pollution. To reverse the trend, the state governor, immediately swung into action and launched "Operation Keep Lokoja Clean."

Necessary equipment were provided for the State Waste Management Board to enable it perform its task effectively. These equipment were two tippers, one payloader and a septic tank emptier purchased at a cost of N111 million. The other achievements in the area of environmental development include the completion of residential layout plans, 300 plots for residential allocation and 450 state housing units scheme layout.

A five-kilometre road network was opened along Usman Hassan Katsina road, while a new site and service estate for eminent citizens was laid out and cleared with road linking it with the 500 units housing estate along Barracks road, Lokoja.

Health Care

Health services as a primary need of the people has received great attention in the past one year. Fourteen Cottage Hospitals which were abandoned by the last administration were completed as Governor Idris promptly paid all the debts owed the contractors to the tune of 72 million naira.

The Essential Drug Programme was revived with the injection of 10 million naira revolving fund. Drugs and medical equipment worth about 100 million naira were also purchased for health institutions in the state.

Several health institutions were given a massive face-lift. These include Idah General Hospital, Ugwolawo General Hospital, Comprehensive Health Centre, Ogodu and Comprehensive Health Centre, Odu-Ikaka. At the Koton-karfe General Hospital a new generating set, mattresses and a water borehole were provided, while new electrification works were carried out. These projects were executed at a cost of N84 million naira. The State Government has also paid counterparts fund in the ADB assisted and Health System Development Projects to the tune of over 44 million naira.

At present, Lokoja, the state capital has no general hospital since the former one was given to the Federal Government for use as Federal Medical Centre. The state government consequently took steps to establish a new general hospital and a suitable site has been selected in the heart of Lokoja. The hospital design already completed and actual construction work is about to commence. A sum of N7.5 million has so far been expended on the hospital project.

On Immunisation, the state government, in conjunction with the Federal Government, World Health Organisation, WHO, UNICEF and Rotary International have been conducting the National Immunisation Programmes very successfully. Over one million children have been immunised so far. Over N1.5 million has been spent on the programme.

Industrialisation

The Ibrahim Idris administration is pursuing an industrial development programme that will guarantee a stable and prosperous economy for the state. Towards this end, the governor has embarked on an aggressive investment drive that has taken him to both South Africa and China. Among the successes recorded is the signing of an agreement with Chinese government on the establishment of a 60 million dollar sugar industry in Ibaji area of the state. There is also an arrangement with South African industrialists for the development of the state's agricultural potentials among other industries that are being worked out. The state has also negotiated with Dangote Group to acquire 30 percent of the total share in the Obajana Cement Industry.

The state government is working towards resuscitating a number of ailing industries. Such industries include the New Nigeria Timber Company at Okura Lafia, Sanitary Ware Industry Limited at Idah, Jakura Marble in Lokoja and the Oil Palm Factory in Anyigba. The plan to resuscitate these industries is contained in the year 2004 state budget.

Tourism Development

A new Ministry of Culture and Tourism was created by the Idris administration with a mandate to kick-start the development of the great tourist potentials of the state. The ministry has held an interactive workshop on tourism development and is working on a blueprint to make the state a tourist center.

Youth and Sports Development

The administration has taken great steps towards revamping sports in Kogi State. The state government sponsored national competitions such as Under-18 tennis championship, tennis federation championship and the national Under-15 Badminton championship, with a total sum of N7 million. The state government contingents to the African games (COJA) and the recently concluded national sports festivals performed well and won laurels.

The Kogi United Football Club has also received great attention and was recently promoted to the pro-league due to its impressive performance. Lokoja Township Stadium is being given a face-lift while more sporting equipment have been provided for the Lokongoma Phase II Sports Complex.

The state government also donated to the State National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, the sum of N3 million for orientation and welfare of the 2003 corps members and also approved the payment of an additional monthly stipend of N4,500 to each corps member working with the state government.

Women Affairs and Social

Development

The state government has within one year of the present administration taken decisive steps to enhance the socio-economic and political status of women, improving the welfare of children and under-privilege in the society.

To ensure a new lease of life for the disabled, the government embarked on distribution of food items such as rice, beans and soap to them. The Ministry also organised an enlightenment campaign to educate them on the equal opportunities they have with other persons in the society.

To create enough awareness on the girl-child education, the state government officials toured the 21 local government areas following the re-inauguration of the committee on Advocacy for Girl-child Education.

Local Government and

Chieftaincy Affairs

The Department of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs is one of the three departments in the Deputy Governor's office. The department is responsible for local government affairs and chieftaincy matters.

The present PDP-led government under the pragmatic leadership of Ibrahim Idris and his lieutenant, Chief Philip Salawu has in the last one year endeavoured to restore the glory of the institution from the quagmire it had been relegated under the erstwhile administration to its traditionally enviable position as the custodian of people's custom and tradition. To this effect, the appointments of some traditional rulers are made based on recommendations from the Area Traditional Council of Chiefs. These include:-

* HRH, Mallam Abu Ali-Etsu of Bassa-Nge- 2nd class status.

* HRH, Alhaji Shehu Usman Tijani Okikiri-Ogasube of Ure 3rd class status.

* HRH, Chief Samuel Egbunu Atuluku Ejiga-Onojo Onu Odolu 3rd class Chief

Others are being processed for the state government's attention.

During this same period, the state government approved the re-instatement of HRH, Alhaji Abubakar Musa II, 2nd class, as the Aganchu of Kakanda who was wrongfully deposed. The state government also constituted the committee on the review of chieftaincy matters in the state.

Family Advancement Programme

This is the pet project of Hajia Zainab Idris, wife of the governor of Kogi State. She has used this programme to demonstrate her special attribute of a good and kind-hearted mother that she is.

Under the programme, drugs were purchased in large quantities for de-worming of children in all the 21 local government areas in the state. She has also toured motherless babies homes to show kindness to the inmates. Among those visited are the Ekundayo Motherless Babies Home, Isanlu, an orphanage in Dekina Local Government. In all these places, she went with gifts that brought relief to the inmates. She also visited hospitals to show support for the sick and organised for children with deformities to be taken to hospitals where these could be corrected to enable them live normal lives.

As part of her pet project, Hajia Zainab sponsors television programmes called "Family Forum" The programme is a forum for propagating family values and for effecting a change of attitudes that tend to lead the society in the wrong direction.

She is also in the fore-front of the campaign against HIV/AIDS pandemic. She has taken the campaign to schools and colleges where youths, the most vulnerable to the disease, are educated on how to avoid the affliction.

Beside all these, she has been a pillar of support for her husband, looking after the home front in such an effective manner that her husband would have time to concentrate fully on governing the state.

Relationship with the Legislature and the Judiciary

The success of any government in a democracy will be measured not only by the number of physical developments it is able to put in place but also by the degree of the healthy relationship it is able to maintain with the other arms of government. It is note worthy that all the arms of government complement one another.

In facing the reality of this therefore, the present government has since its inception maintained a smooth relationship with the legislative and judicial arm of government.

The present administration has continued to provide transport and logistics support to the State Assembly. In this, connection, the governor approved the procurement of a Peugeot 607 car for the honourable speaker while other principal officers, including the deputy speaker, majority leader, minority leader and the chief whip each got a Peugeot 406 saloon cars in line with the Federal Government monetisation policy. The government also provided car loans to other members of the state.

Peace and Security

The state government has been rendering necessary support to the Police to enable them effectively combat crime and other social vices in the state. For example, the State government donated 10 Peugeot 504 station wagons with modern communication equipment to the state police command to facilitate their operations.

The vehicles and equipment which cost the sum of N50 million is meant to assist the Police to fight crime especially armed robbery throughout the state. Kogi State was the first government to make such donation to the Nigeria Police. The Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Tafa Balogun, personally received the vehicles in Lokoja.

Justice

In line with the unflinching believe of the administration in the principle of the rule of law and its determination to make justice accessible to all, the ministry of justice has been repositioned for effective service delivery.

The ministry activities have been computerised and hooked to the internet. A new directorate of citizenship rights has also been created in the ministry to handle issues relating to breach of fundamental rights of citizens.

Succeeding Against All Odds

The new Kogi State government piloted by Ibrahim Idris as governor, has overcome all obstacles to take development to the people's doorsteps

IBRAHIM Idris, executive governor of Kogi

State is a man with a large heart. He took over the reins

of power in the state May 29, 2003, waving the olive

branch. He had called on all those who had contested

with him both in the governorship primaries and the governorship election proper to forget the bitter feelings that trailed the contest and join him to redeem the state which was at a standstill at the time he took over.

Idris explained why he did so in his inaugural speech at an interview with Newswatch recently. "It is human for people to be unhappy in a contest such as we had, especially if such people were defeated. But if you are lucky to be the fortunate one, the best you can do is to bring the others closer to you. Because we need the co-operation of everybody for the state to make progress. And that is what I did."

That approach paid off handsomely. It set the tone for the great transformation that has taken place in the state in the past one year. The state was peaceful and the governor, rather than dissipate energy, time and the resources of the state to fight his opponents has had enough time to concentrate on the provision of amenities which the people had been denied for a long time.

In doing so, the administration had to fight to overcome the encumberance of paucity of funds created by the heavy debt burden it inherited from the previous administration, a situation which was further compounded by the dilapidating state of infrastructure in the state.

The debt profile inherited by the Idris administration was huge. Domestic debts stood at 14.4 billion Naira while foreign debt was 341.3 million dollars. But Governor Idris did not throw up his hands in exasperation. Rather he took the gloomy financial situation as a challenge. He has since started repaying the loans.

In doing so, his background in business has come in handy. He has been very thorough in administering the finances of the state. Under the Idris administration, there are no bogus approvals. All proposals are carefully vetted. This has resulted in a situation whereby the state has been able to achieve a lot with its lean resources.

Already the government has repaid over N1.5 billion of its foreign debts. On the domestic front, the government has put smiles on the faces of the state's long-neglected pensioners. So far, the government has spent over 327 million naira on the payment of arrears of pensions and gratuities. Also, the proceeds of N147 million from the sale of fertilizer allocated to the state by the Federal Government which was misappropriated by the past administration has been fully paid to the federal ministry of agriculture.

There was also the two billion naira loan which the former administration took from the Continental Trust Bank. The loan was spent on unverified projects, but was not serviced until Idris took over. The administration has now fully redeemed the loan.

As part of its efforts to revive the state's dying primary education system, the Idris administration had to take steps to give hope to teachers whose salaries and leave bonuses had been left unpaid by the previous administration. The new government has cleared the backlog of teachers salaries and their 2003 leave bonuses of about N285.3 million.

The decision of the Idris administration to pay debts it inherited has won for it the confidence of its creditors and civil servants. But it, no doubt, affected its determination to execute projects on the scale and at the speed it had wished. Nevertheless, it made an impressive showing and in doing so, it was guided by the philosophy of even-spread.

General Administration

Prior to the coming on board of the PDP-led administration in the state, the entire public/civil service system had been grounded and made redundant due to total neglect. Civil servants were made to suffer the pangs of several months of unpaid salaries and other fringe benefits, while necessary incentives were not provided for their smooth operations. In the same vein, retired civil servants were denied their stipends even though their lives virtually depended on the pay.

The present government, therefore, inherited a dysfunctional civil service. But the government recognised quite on time that the civil service, as the engine room of government, needed to be revitalised and re-invigorated.

From the beginning, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris described the kind of civil service he wanted. "We, therefore, want a vibrant and result-oriented civil service that will implement government programmes with speed and precision," the governor said, while swearing-in the head of service in June 2003. The Alhaji Ibrahim Idris-led government has within its first 365 days repositioned the state public service through the provision for a flourishing public sector. The effect of this could evidently be seen in the enhanced and effective performance of their statutory roles by the various ministries, agencies and parastatals.

The government has not only promptly and regularly paid the salaries of workers in the state but has also looked into the arbitrary tax assessment imposed on civil servants by the immediate past administration in the state with a view to rectifying it.

The year 2003 leave allowances of the state workforce has been paid with a sum of N385.3 million naira while government is making frantic efforts to clear the backlog of leave allowances owed workers by the past administration. The administration of Idris has expended over N3.27 million naira to settle harmonised pension and gratuity obligations to retired public officers.

To enhance the functionality of the various ministries and parastatals, the present administration re-introduced the payment of imprest which was not paid by the past administration. This has gone a long way to reposition the public service for better service delivery, giving a sense of belonging and recognition to the workers.

As part of its efforts to develop the skill of the civil servants, the state government has given attention to their training and retraining. A total of 109 officers were sent for various courses in institutions of higher learning. Government equally sponsored 10 officers in record management in addition to the regular training of civil servants at the Staff Development Centre and regular seminars and workshops for civil servants at the state and local government levels.

In other to enhance the welfare of civil servants and public officers, government purchased Peugeot 406 car on loans for members of the State Executive Council, House of Assembly, special advisers and senior special assistants. Recently, government also presented new Peugeot 406 cars to all Judges in the state, while the chief judge and grand khadi got Peugeot 607. Vehicle loans of N1.7 Million and N500,000 each were given to permanent secretaries and magistrates, respectively. On the whole government disbursed a total of 912.8 million naira on vehicles to government officials in the three arms of government.

Road Construction

Road development was given the lion share of N6.1 billion in the year 2004 budget. This is because majority of the roads in the state is in terrible state of disrepair. This is causing the people of the state untold hardship and hampering socio-economic development. As a first step to address this situation, government awarded contract for the construction of three major roads in the three senatorial districts of the state. These are Obehira-Ihima-Ayere road at a cost of N780 million, Ankpa-Icheke-Abejukolo-Bagana road at a cost of N1.9 billion and Ijowa-Jege-Ejuku road at a cost of N800 million.

These are three out of the many roads either rehabilitated or reconstructed by the present administration. These roads are of great importance because of their spread across the three senatorial districts of the state. Work is in full progress on the road projects while five brand new Peugeot 504 vehicles were also purchased for a total sum of N14,571,125 for effective monitoring and supervision of the projects. In addition, the state government is to construct at least one road in each of the 21 local government areas of the state before the end of 2004, while more township roads have been slated for rehabilitation in major towns in the state in this fiscal year.

Erosion Control

Before the present administration came on board, the menace of gully erosion had threatened so many communities in the state while some had been completely cut off. This problem has been effectively tackled by the state government. Some of the erosion control projects executed are:

* Erosion mitigation at Ugwolawo and Umomi township at the cost of N1.5 million.

* Reclamation work on Lokoja-Ganaja-Ajaokuta at a cost of N15.9 million.

* Erosion control in Iyale at a cost of N20 million.

* Erosion control in various parts of Ugwolawo township at the cost of N2 million.

Owowo Bridge Project

Prior to the inception of this administration, successive governments in the state had awarded contracts for the construction of the Owowo Bridge at Itakete-Ide in Mopamuro Local Government area of the state without the implementation of such contacts. The bridge had turned a nightmare for indigenes of the area who are usually cut off from their kinsmen every raining season. But the Idris-led government has broken the jinx concerning this bridge by re-awarding the contract for its construction for a total sum of N7 million. The bridge is now almost completed.

Meme Bridge

The construction of Meme bridge along Army barracks road, Lokoja is a historic achievement of the Ibrahim Idris administration. The bridge which is narrow has been the nightmare of the people who live in and around the military barracks, Lokoja and motorists who come into Lokoja through the southwestern part of the state. The bridge had claimed innocent lives through frequent accidents for decades, while successive governments had failed to reconstruct it. Governor Idris awarded the contract for the construction of the bridge as well as the road up to the Army barracks at a cost of N208 million naira. The contractor has been mobilised to site and work has commenced in earnest

Mabulo Bridge, Ankpa

Mabulo bridge in Ankpa is on a federal road that links Kogi State with Benue and other neighbouring states. The temporary colonial bridge has the peculiar problem of being submerged by sand due to erosion and the massive water of the river. Those living on the eastern axis of Ankpa suffer untold hardship every year as they are usually cut off from the rest of the town. The situation has been arrested by the provision of the sum of N25 million for the construction of the bridge.

Housing

Remarkable progress has been made in the housing sector within the 365 days of this administration. The government has acquired and cleared large expanse of land along Army Barracks road for the purpose of constructing 500 units housing estate. The estate consists of three, two and one bedroom bungalows. Prototypes of the three categories have been completed by the Building Engineering Department of the Ministry of Works and Housing. Government has paid N18.2 million as compensation to those whose land was acquired for the project. The contract for the construction of the first phase, consisting of 200 housing units has been awarded for a total sum of N159,250,000.

Electricity Supply

In a bid to improve power supply to some rural communities in the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris approved and released the sum of N6 million for the purchase and installation of transformers and other assorted electrical materials needed for the upgrading of power in seven communities. They include College of Education, Ankpa, Ogale, Kabawa, Angwa Yashi, Adankolo, Angwa Kura and Egbeda-Egga.

Education

Education is one of the sectors that the administration of Governor Ibrahim Idris gave priority attention in view of its importance to the future of the state and its people. The government embarked on massive re-building of primary schools since its inception in order to address the utter neglect of the past and provide a conducive learning environment for the children. A total sum of N523,000,000 has been expended on the construction of 482 classroom blocks spread across the three senatorial districts of the state.

The WAEC and NECO examination fees were reduced from arbitrary charges to a fix sum of N6,500 in order to ease the burden on parents and enable poor students to sit for the examinations. The present administration has also provided additional 1,160 dual desks for primary schools under the World Bank Assisted Projects. One engine boat was purchased for the supervision of schools in the riverine areas of the state.

The administration has, in the past one year, paid adequate attention to the provision of basic infrastructure in secondary school so as to ensure qualitative education. A sum of N34 million was released to the Teaching Service Commission to offset its May, 2003 salary arrears to teachers which the immediate past administration refused to service.

The administration has expended over N10 million on the provision of science and technological equipment in secondary schools.

Tertiary Institutions

Before the inception of the present administration state-owned tertiary institutions, especially the state university, were loosing staff to other institutions due to the non-implementation of 22 percent salary increase granted lecturers by the Federal Government. Immediately he assumed office, Governor Idris approved the implementation of the salary increase for the staff of the Kogi State University, Anyigba; the Polytechnic, Lokoja and the College of Education, Ankpa.

Other outstanding achievements recorded by the administration of Governor Idris include the release of N15 million to Kogi State University, Anyigba, for the provision of books and other facilities for the accreditation of its law programme.

The Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja was also provided with facilities to enable it meet accreditation requirements for its courses, most of which had not been accredited since its birth 12 years ago. The Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa was given a boost by the provision of transformer, generating set, potable water and other essential facilities for the comfort of the students.

The administration has made history by restoring payment of bursary awards to all Kogi State students in higher institutions in the country. The sum of N137 million for the bursary was disbursed to the students through the state Ministry of Education. The state government also donated a new bus purchased at the sum of N3,590,000 to Kogi State Students Association to encourage a strong and purposeful student unionism.

 

Potable Water

Water as an essential human need has received tremendous attention in the past one year under Governor Ibrahim Idris. The situation he met on ground was simply precarious as major water schemes like Lokoja Water Works, Okene Water Works, Ekuku Dam, Okene, Idah Water Works and several others were broken down while the citizens were in great hardship due to acute shortage of potable water. This situation has been substantially addressed and water supply in various parts of the state has improved tremendously.

Idah Water Works has been rehabilitated and restructured with over 10 million naira to pump one million gallons of water everyday. New pipeline network has been laid in Idah to facilitate distribution of water to all nooks and crannies of the town.

In Lokoja the capital, the waterworks was rehabilitated with over eight million naira to operate at full capacity. Chemicals and diesel are in regular supply. The broken down Kabawa water schemes were also rehabilitated to ensure adequate water supply in the state capital. Two new motorised borehole water scheme are being built for Madabo, Angwa Tiv and Adankolo areas of Lokoja. All these have reached advanced stages of completion. Over 100 broken down boreholes have also been rehabilitated within Lokoja metropolis and in other parts of the state.

As a long-term solution to the problem of shortage of water in both urban and rural areas in the state, government recently awarded contract for the building of 40 water treatment packages covering 22 towns and villages at a total cost of 400 million naira.

Agriculture and Natural

Resources

Agriculture has been brought to the centrestage of the economy from its relegated position. Within two months of assumption of office, Governor Idris purchased 27 tractors and accessories at a total cost of N120 million and distributed them to the 21 local government areas of the state for the benefit of the rural farmers.

Hitherto, farmers in the state could not obtain fertilizer for their use because the state had been blacklisted as the last administration collected fertilizers from the federal government to the tune of 147 million naira, without remitting the money to the appropriate quarters.

Governor Idris promptly paid the debt and followed it up with the purchase of 150 trailer loads of assorted fertilizer which was distributed to the door step of farmers throughout the state during last year farming season. This year, over 250 trailer loads of fertilizer have been provided for the farmers. More than 16 million naira has been expended on the purchase and distribution of fertilizers.

The state government has also established the State Agricultural Development Trust Fund and paid 30 million naira as counterpart fund for the take off of the fund which has given the farmers access to credit facilities of 150 million naira. Government has also paid its counterpart fund in the IFAD World Bank and loan scheme for root and tuber crops and ECOWAS loan scheme for fishermen, amounting to over 60 million naira. More than 90 fishermen have benefited from the loan scheme.

Information Dissemination

The importance attached to adequate information dissemination and the need to receive necessary feedback from the people prompted the present government to make all its channels of information efficient and responsive.

The Ministry of Information has been reinvigorated and efforts have been made to maintain an information data bank in the ministry's headquarters.

A public enlightenment programme titled: Kogi State Harvest of Change, produced by the ministry and transmitted on the Nigerian Television Authority, Lokoja has added value to the worth of the state's information organs, which are used not only to inform the people of the state but also to educate and entertain them.

Environmental Sanitation

Before the present administration came on board, major towns, especially the state capital and its environs were environmentally degraded due to haphazard development, erosion and pollution. To reverse the trend, the state governor, immediately swung into action and launched "Operation Keep Lokoja Clean."

Necessary equipment were provided for the State Waste Management Board to enable it perform its task effectively. These equipment were two tippers, one payloader and a septic tank emptier purchased at a cost of N111 million. The other achievements in the area of environmental development include the completion of residential layout plans, 300 plots for residential allocation and 450 state housing units scheme layout.

A five-kilometre road network was opened along Usman Hassan Katsina road, while a new site and service estate for eminent citizens was laid out and cleared with road linking it with the 500 units housing estate along Barracks road, Lokoja.

Health Care

Health services as a primary need of the people has received great attention in the past one year. Fourteen Cottage Hospitals which were abandoned by the last administration were completed as Governor Idris promptly paid all the debts owed the contractors to the tune of 72 million naira.

The Essential Drug Programme was revived with the injection of 10 million naira revolving fund. Drugs and medical equipment worth about 100 million naira were also purchased for health institutions in the state.

Several health institutions were given a massive face-lift. These include Idah General Hospital, Ugwolawo General Hospital, Comprehensive Health Centre, Ogodu and Comprehensive Health Centre, Odu-Ikaka. At the Koton-karfe General Hospital a new generating set, mattresses and a water borehole were provided, while new electrification works were carried out. These projects were executed at a cost of N84 million naira. The State Government has also paid counterparts fund in the ADB assisted and Health System Development Projects to the tune of over 44 million naira.

At present, Lokoja, the state capital has no general hospital since the former one was given to the Federal Government for use as Federal Medical Centre. The state government consequently took steps to establish a new general hospital and a suitable site has been selected in the heart of Lokoja. The hospital design already completed and actual construction work is about to commence. A sum of N7.5 million has so far been expended on the hospital project.

On Immunisation, the state government, in conjunction with the Federal Government, World Health Organisation, WHO, UNICEF and Rotary International have been conducting the National Immunisation Programmes very successfully. Over one million children have been immunised so far. Over N1.5 million has been spent on the programme.

Industrialisation

The Ibrahim Idris administration is pursuing an industrial development programme that will guarantee a stable and prosperous economy for the state. Towards this end, the governor has embarked on an aggressive investment drive that has taken him to both South Africa and China. Among the successes recorded is the signing of an agreement with Chinese government on the establishment of a 60 million dollar sugar industry in Ibaji area of the state. There is also an arrangement with South African industrialists for the development of the state's agricultural potentials among other industries that are being worked out. The state has also negotiated with Dangote Group to acquire 30 percent of the total share in the Obajana Cement Industry.

The state government is working towards resuscitating a number of ailing industries. Such industries include the New Nigeria Timber Company at Okura Lafia, Sanitary Ware Industry Limited at Idah, Jakura Marble in Lokoja and the Oil Palm Factory in Anyigba. The plan to resuscitate these industries is contained in the year 2004 state budget.

Tourism Development

A new Ministry of Culture and Tourism was created by the Idris administration with a mandate to kick-start the development of the great tourist potentials of the state. The ministry has held an interactive workshop on tourism development and is working on a blueprint to make the state a tourist center.

Youth and Sports Development

The administration has taken great steps towards revamping sports in Kogi State. The state government sponsored national competitions such as Under-18 tennis championship, tennis federation championship and the national Under-15 Badminton championship, with a total sum of N7 million. The state government contingents to the African games (COJA) and the recently concluded national sports festivals performed well and won laurels.

The Kogi United Football Club has also received great attention and was recently promoted to the pro-league due to its impressive performance. Lokoja Township Stadium is being given a face-lift while more sporting equipment have been provided for the Lokongoma Phase II Sports Complex.

The state government also donated to the State National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, the sum of N3 million for orientation and welfare of the 2003 corps members and also approved the payment of an additional monthly stipend of N4,500 to each corps member working with the state government.

Women Affairs and Social

Development

The state government has within one year of the present administration taken decisive steps to enhance the socio-economic and political status of women, improving the welfare of children and under-privilege in the society.

To ensure a new lease of life for the disabled, the government embarked on distribution of food items such as rice, beans and soap to them. The Ministry also organised an enlightenment campaign to educate them on the equal opportunities they have with other persons in the society.

To create enough awareness on the girl-child education, the state government officials toured the 21 local government areas following the re-inauguration of the committee on Advocacy for Girl-child Education.

Local Government and

Chieftaincy Affairs

The Department of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs is one of the three departments in the Deputy Governor's office. The department is responsible for local government affairs and chieftaincy matters.

The present PDP-led government under the pragmatic leadership of Ibrahim Idris and his lieutenant, Chief Philip Salawu has in the last one year endeavoured to restore the glory of the institution from the quagmire it had been relegated under the erstwhile administration to its traditionally enviable position as the custodian of people's custom and tradition. To this effect, the appointments of some traditional rulers are made based on recommendations from the Area Traditional Council of Chiefs. These include:-

* HRH, Mallam Abu Ali-Etsu of Bassa-Nge- 2nd class status.

* HRH, Alhaji Shehu Usman Tijani Okikiri-Ogasube of Ure 3rd class status.

* HRH, Chief Samuel Egbunu Atuluku Ejiga-Onojo Onu Odolu 3rd class Chief

Others are being processed for the state government's attention.

During this same period, the state government approved the re-instatement of HRH, Alhaji Abubakar Musa II, 2nd class, as the Aganchu of Kakanda who was wrongfully deposed. The state government also constituted the committee on the review of chieftaincy matters in the state.

Family Advancement Programme

This is the pet project of Hajia Zainab Idris, wife of the governor of Kogi State. She has used this programme to demonstrate her special attribute of a good and kind-hearted mother that she is.

Under the programme, drugs were purchased in large quantities for de-worming of children in all the 21 local government areas in the state. She has also toured motherless babies homes to show kindness to the inmates. Among those visited are the Ekundayo Motherless Babies Home, Isanlu, an orphanage in Dekina Local Government. In all these places, she went with gifts that brought relief to the inmates. She also visited hospitals to show support for the sick and organised for children with deformities to be taken to hospitals where these could be corrected to enable them live normal lives.

As part of her pet project, Hajia Zainab sponsors television programmes called "Family Forum" The programme is a forum for propagating family values and for effecting a change of attitudes that tend to lead the society in the wrong direction.

She is also in the fore-front of the campaign against HIV/AIDS pandemic. She has taken the campaign to schools and colleges where youths, the most vulnerable to the disease, are educated on how to avoid the affliction.

Beside all these, she has been a pillar of support for her husband, looking after the home front in such an effective manner that her husband would have time to concentrate fully on governing the state.

Relationship with the Legislature and the Judiciary

The success of any government in a democracy will be measured not only by the number of physical developments it is able to put in place but also by the degree of the healthy relationship it is able to maintain with the other arms of government. It is note worthy that all the arms of government complement one another.

In facing the reality of this therefore, the present government has since its inception maintained a smooth relationship with the legislative and judicial arm of government.

The present administration has continued to provide transport and logistics support to the State Assembly. In this, connection, the governor approved the procurement of a Peugeot 607 car for the honourable speaker while other principal officers, including the deputy speaker, majority leader, minority leader and the chief whip each got a Peugeot 406 saloon cars in line with the Federal Government monetisation policy. The government also provided car loans to other members of the state.

Peace and Security

The state government has been rendering necessary support to the Police to enable them effectively combat crime and other social vices in the state. For example, the State government donated 10 Peugeot 504 station wagons with modern communication equipment to the state police command to facilitate their operations.

The vehicles and equipment which cost the sum of N50 million is meant to assist the Police to fight crime especially armed robbery throughout the state. Kogi State was the first government to make such donation to the Nigeria Police. The Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Tafa Balogun, personally received the vehicles in Lokoja.

Justice

In line with the unflinching believe of the administration in the principle of the rule of law and its determination to make justice accessible to all, the ministry of justice has been repositioned for effective service delivery.

The ministry activities have been computerised and hooked to the internet. A new directorate of citizenship rights has also been created in the ministry to handle issues relating to breach of fundamental rights of citizens.