Kogi LG to employ 50,000 youths, women in farms

FROM: EMMANUEL ADEYEMI, Lokoja

In order to create employment opportunities and reduce poverty, Igala-Mela Local Covernment Council of  Kogi State plans to establish large acres of farms which will employ over 50,000 youths and women.

Chief administrator of the council, Hon. Joseph Baron Okwoli, while briefing newsmen at Ajaka, headquarters of the council on  the occasion of his one year in office, said  farming was the only major recipe to poverty and unemployment that have bedevilled his people.

According to him, the farm when established will generate incomes for the council and making the council the food basket of the state.

He said since his assumption into office, he has paid workers  and pensioners up to April and has constructed over 15 feeder roads to help facilitate the transportation of farm produce to urban centres.

The local government boss who said contrary to rumours  flying round that he was owing 15 months salaries, he has paid over 959 of the 1,116 staff up to April, saying the remaining few people that are yet to receive their salaries were those that had issues with their screening.

Baron who received standing ovations from the workers also said he was able to restore law and order to the local government which was hitherto adjudged as the most violent and crime-prone area in the state.

Aside from providing other empowerment initiatives to the peoples, he said he has constructed over 32 boreholes, rehabilitated several  primary schools and paid JAMB fees for over 500 students.

Baron who said his administration’s blueprint is aimed at transforming the local government however called on the peoples to cooperate with the Yahaya Bello’s administration saying the governor means well for the state.