President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, said he was impressed by the performance of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, saying he has particularly done very well in the area of security and project execution.
Buhari said this during his working visit to Kogi to commission legacy projects executed by Bello’s administration, according to a statement.
“We are an administration that prides itself in the fulfilment of our electoral promises to the Nigerian people, at both national and sub-national levels. This is why I am glad that we have an impressive array of legacy projects through your own state government as proof of our stewardship in Kogi State,” Buhari said.
“I am impressed by the performance of the Kogi State governor. He has done very well in the area of security and project execution in Kogi State. We are proud of him and we urge him to do more for the people. I am appealing to the people of Kogi State to support him so that he can achieve and deliver more dividends of democracy.”
During his visit to the general reference hospital, Okene in Kogi, Buhari congratulated the governor, saying: “If one wants to see everything here, he will get lost.
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“I have been briefed by the governor and his team on the myriad of projects we would have loved to commission for you across the state, including the brand new Confluence University of Science and Technology at Osara, the Confluence Rice Mills at Ejiba, the various township roads networks at Idah, Okene and Kabba and intra-state roads in the three senatorial zones, massive erosion works at Ankpa, Ogugu and other places, as well as other roads, hospitals, schools and sundry vital infrastructure.”
The president said that his administration was working to reposition Kogi as an investment hub through the activation of solid minerals in the state, promising that the Ajaokuta Steel Company would be revitalised soon.
According to the statement, Buhari commissioned the first-of-its-kind Ganaja flyover project, the world-class Reference Hospital in Okene, the newly constructed palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, ultra-modern GYB Model Science Secondary School, and Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre, among other projects.
In his remarks, Bello said: “Today remains a historic day in the lives of the good people of Kogi State. We were happy the very day you granted approval to come to Kogi State for the commissioning of a few out of the many projects this administration has executed for the people of Kogi State.
“When I was sworn in on the 27th of January, 2016, we were determined to serve our people and we quickly commissioned a multi-dimensional committee to form what we call a new direction blueprint. From that period till date, this particular document has served as a guide for accelerated development in Kogi State.
“Mr President, we hit the ground running and you told me to be courageous in leadership and also taught me how to bring out my best, and today, the projects are an attestation of our best to the people of Kogi State. I followed your footsteps in ensuring projects and infrastructures that have a direct impact on the people.”
The governor appreciated all the support to Kogi State, and appealed for the completion of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, adding that no nation could achieve industrialisation without iron and steel.
“We are still confident that your effort toward the revitalisation of the steel company will still be achieved before the expiration of your tenure,” he said.
