Lokoja Stakeholders Call For Continuous Development, Chart A Way Forward

• Proposes 10 Year Development Plan.

By Abubakar S.H

Stakeholders at a town hall meeting in Lokoja, the state headquarters of kogi state suggested the way forward on repositioning the confluence City for greater development, Abubakar Sule Hussain reports.

A cross section of speakers and guests at the town hall meeting on Lokoja development held at Reverton Hotel,Lokoja was determined to take the historical town to its rightful position in terms of development, critical stakeholders in the affairs of the confluence town gathered during the week to chart a new way forward.

The colourful event was organised by some notable personalities, led by Ali Zaki.

They all argued that lack of development plans dealt a terrible blow to the growth of the first historic and commercial town in Nigeria.

The theme of the stakeholders meeting: Chatting and Charting Ways Forward for the Sustainable Development of Lokoja LGA.

The Stakeholders of Lokoja LGA have proposed a ten year development plan for the Local Government Area.

This development was disclosed today at the Lokoja LGA Stakeholders Forum Town Hall Meeting, under the leadership of the former Commissioner for Health, Hon. Alh. Suleiman Baba Ali.

Hon. Baba Ali advised stakeholders of the Local Government Area to pay attention to the issues of peace and security, saying its necessary.

According to him, ” The central message is that everyone of us in Lokoja has a responsibility towards bringing about rapid development.

The Chairman of the Stakeholders lamented the downturn of security in the Local Government, pointing out that no meaningful development would be achieved, if the issues of peace and security is not properly tackled.

” Government alone cannot do it. Government must work together with citizens, while the role of citizens is not only to criticize but also to make contributions”.

While noting that the 16 committee reports are expected to be presented today, assuring that final outcome of the committee reports would be presented to the Kogi State government for implementation.

Hon. Baba Ali expressed appreciation to the people of Lokoja LGA for their show of love and commitment to the development of Lokoja LGA, said the stakeholder engagement would receive 16 committee report.

Also speaking, the Speaker of the kogi state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Yussuf Umar said ” Lokoja is a great town with great potentials but the potentials are there lying fallow, waiting for us to utilize them, he emphasized the need for every stakeholder to contribute their quota towards the realisation of their dream.

“As indigenes, we know that to attain development is a participatory thing. All of us have our different roles to play. All of us must put our hands together if we must attain development and growth of our dream,”

He called on stakeholders to team up with those in position of authority so as to bring to fruition the governor’s economic and developmental plans for the state.

The Speaker expressed delight that Governor Yahaya Bello’s “ leadership initiatives and visions is achieved, saying he has done several projects in lokoja throughout his stay in office. ” The governor -elect , Ahmed Usman Ododo will also remember us, which is contained in his Economic Development Plan”,he stressed.

Highlights of the Stakeholders Forum was the presentation of Committee reports on health, Agriculture, CSO, women empowerment, Peace and Security as well as Culture and Tourism.

Similarly the Committee report on Sports, Education, Media and Publicity as well as Politics, Religion, Road and Infrastructure where presented by Committee Chairmen.

The speaker posited that Governor Bello‘s leadership vision, policy agenda and implementation has put Kogi state on the global map as one of the best governed states in Nigeria in the past seven years.

Dignitaries that graced the event included The former Director of Local Government administration of Lokoja local government and secretary, Lokoja stakeholders forum, Dr. Ammami Galadima, former House of Reps member, Hon. Haruna Isah, Mallam Zakari Abubaka-Ola, Vice Councillor, Federal University, Lokoja and the former speaker of kogi state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Umar Alfa.

Also, the immediate past Director of Lokoja local government area, Engr. Danladi Faruq was present at the auspicious occasion.