President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday that he was impressed by Governor Yahaya Bello’s performance in Kogi state.
The President, who was on an official visit to commission legacy projects executed by the state government, noted that the governor had performed particularly well in the area of security and project execution.
He specifically said that the Federal Government was proud of Governor Bello, who he said had demonstrated the excellent overall performance of the All Progressives Congress in Nigeria.
Buhari said: “We are an administration that prides itself on delivering on our election promises to the Nigerian people at both the national and sub-national levels. So I am pleased that we have an impressive array of legacy projects through your own state government.” as evidence of our stewardship in Kogi State.
“I am impressed by the performance of Governor Yahaya Bello. He has done very well in the area of security and project execution in the Kogi state. We are proud of him and urge him to do more for the people. I call on the people of Kogi State to support him, so that he can achieve and deliver more democracy dividends.”
The President, who was very happy to see the impressive projects during his visit, at the Reference Hospital, Okene, once again congratulated the Governor, saying that “if you want to see everything here, you lose it”.
He added: “Yahaya and his team informed me of the myriad of projects we would have loved to commission them across the state, including the new Confluence University of Science and Technology, CUSTECH, in Osara, the Confluence rice mills in Ejiba , the various road networks of Idah, Okene and Kabba municipalities and intra-state highways in the three senatorial areas, massive erosion works in Ankpa, Ogugu and other places, as well as other roads, hospitals, schools and various vital infrastructure.”
The president also noted that his administration was working to reposition Kogi state as an investment center through the activation of solid minerals in the state, and promised that Ajaokuta Steel Company would be revitalized soon.
According to him, the federal government is currently in talks with a US firm to take over the steelmaker.
The president said the Ajaokuta steel complex would generate more than $1.6 billion in annual revenue for the Nigerian economy and an estimated more than 500,000 jobs.
He commissioned the first-of-its-kind Ganaja flyover project, the world-class Reference Hospital in Okene, the newly built Palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, the ultra-modern GYB Model High School of Science and the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Center, among others. Projects
In his remarks, Governor Yahaya Bello said: “Today (yesterday) continues to be a historic day in the lives of the good people of Kogi State.
“We rejoice on the very day that you granted approval to come to Kogi State for the start-up of some of the many projects that this administration has implemented for the people of Kogi State.
“When I was sworn in on January 27, 2016, we were determined to serve our people and quickly commissioned a multi-dimensional committee to form what we call a new direction plan.
“From that period to date, this particular document has served as a guide for accelerated development in the Kogi State.
“Mr. President, we got going and you told me to be courageous in leadership and you also taught me how to bring out the best in myself, and today, the projects are a testament to the best for the people of Kogi State.
“I followed your steps to ensure projects and infrastructure that have a direct impact on people.”
Governor Bello thanked the Kogi state for all its support and called for the termination of the Ajaokuta steel company, adding that no nation could achieve industrialization without iron and steel.
“We are still confident that his effort towards the revitalization of the steel company will be achieved before his term expires,” he said.
