From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
The Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, has said the immediate past governor, Yahaya Bello, has laboured so much to build a durable, huge infrastructural and institutional legacies for the state and promised that Governor Ahmed Ododo would do all that is required to consolidate on the legacies.
He gave the assurance while conducting members of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) round some projects executed by the immediate past administration.
The NGE led by its President, Mr. Eze Anaba, was first taking round the gigantic multi million naira Muhammad Buhari Civic Centre, and the ultra modern GYB Science Secondary School, Adakolo, before they inspected the Ganaja Junction overhead bridge, Lokoja.
The NGE members were told that the ultra modern GYB Science Secondary Schools were built in four locations in the state, namely, Lokoja, Okebukun, Nagazi and Ayingba, to enhance quality education and promote science, technical and technological innovations among the youths.
At the Ganaja Junction Flyover, the state Commissioner for Works, Mohammed Yusuf said the project was part of Bello’s mega legacy projects that have given great relief to motorists within the metropolis
The Commissioner who was represented by Akubo Alhassan, deputy director, Civil Engineering, Ministry of Works, said: “This project was conceived and fully funded by the immediate past governor. The necessity of this project is that when you pass here before now, it was characterised by gridlocks at peak hours of 7am to 9am, and 4pm to 7pm.
“We had cases of patients dying in the gridlock on their way to the hospitals, but the immediate past governor, in his wisdom, decided to resolve the conflict and the gridlock permanently and has also created feeder roads within the state.”
Also conducting the newsmen round the newly established Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, which was built by Bello, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Abdul Rahman Asipita Salawu, said the institution was one the fastest growing universities in the North central axis.
He said it was established to provide a nationally and internationally recognised competent manpower that would usher in some new innovations in science and technology, which would be in the overall benefits of the state in particular, and Nigeria in general.
At the gigantic Reference Hospital, Okene, the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Solomon Avidime, took members of the NGE to the 180-bed space hospital, showing them the latest MRS machine and other state of-the-art equipment that can help detect and cure life threatening ailments, like kidney, liver problems and Cancer, among others.
The CMD said services at the hospital were far cheaper, and affordable, with modern equipment and well qualified manpower. He said the hospital was in a class of its own.
In his reaction, Mr. Anaba commended the Kogi State Government, under the immediate past administration of former Governor Bello for huge investment in infrastructural development across the state.
He said with the Reference Hospital, Okene, there was no need for eminent Nigerians to embark on medical tourism abroad, saying the hospital could do much.
Anaba thanked both the immediate past governor and his predecessor, Ododo, for sustaining positive legacies in the state, despite the paucity of funds, and said by what they have seen so far, Bello has done so well for the state
He said the over 5,000 sitting capacity structure of the Muhammad Buhari Civic Centre is a world class event centre that has what it takes to host both national and international event.
The NGE president added that the present administration needs all the desired support to succeed in its campaign promises to the people.
“What we have seen today is highly commendable and world class I must say. Even the blind could attest to the fact that the Government of Kogi State has done well for the people. Looking at this gigantic structure, we are convinced that any project embarked upon by this government will stand the test of time. We are calling on other state governors to emulate the good works going on in Kogi State.
“On our way to this place, we saw roads which are under construction, and township roads undergoing rehabilitation. This is what we want to see across our states. It is the duty of the government to make judicious use of taxpayers’ money. That is what we are witnessing in Kogi State today. Once again, I must commend the Government of Kogi State for this laudable project. They should keep up the good work.”