Governor Ahmed Ododo has received praise from civil society organizations for making notable advancements in infrastructure and security during his first two years in office.
In a statement jointly signed by its secretary, Reuben Joshua, and chairman, Mr. Hamza Aliyu, KONGONET made the praise in Lokoja on Monday.
It said, “Ododo’s administration has made a significant impact in the state’s infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and security.”
The organization noted both the improvements and the shortcomings during the previous two years in their evaluation of the governor’s performance.
KONGONET claims that the administration has achieved progress in boosting agriculture, improving healthcare delivery, and repairing roads.
“Ododo’s administration for prioritizing security, collaborating with federal agencies, and supporting local initiatives,” it stated.
The panel painfully observed that the administration’s accomplishments could be jeopardized by urgent issues with trash management, water supply, and community involvement.
“Healthcare facilities continue to be inadequately equipped, and rural communities continue to struggle with poor road access.
The state capital, Lokoja, has a dire water condition, with many citizens depending on costly private sellers or hazardous sources.
Lokoja is known as Nigeria’s “dirtiest state capital” due to poor waste management, which poses major threats to the environment and human health.
It said, “Security concerns persist, particularly in border communities, where attacks are being experienced, even though relative stability has improved in some areas.”
KONGONET requested Gov. Ododo to publish yearly procurement plans, increase procurement openness, and institutionalize quarterly town hall meetings in order to restore trust and guarantee that citizen voices inform governance.
In order to facilitate transportation, the group asked him to give priority to sustainable water solutions, urban sanitation, and a workable mass transit system, particularly in Lokoja.
The group also demanded the introduction of statutory boards for transparency and support for the creation of the Social Protection Policy Framework.
The group stated that “decisive action on these issues will shape citizens’ perceptions and determine the legacy of Governor Ododo’s tenure as the administration enters its final two years.”
Similarly, Idris Abdul, Executive Director of Conscience for Human Rights and Conflicts Resolution, praised the governor’s efforts to pay salaries, uphold peace, and enhance state security.
Abdul stated that there was still a lot of work to be done, especially in sectors like tourism, human development, housing, transportation, water, and healthcare.
While two years is a noteworthy milestone, it is insufficient to assess an administration’s effectiveness.
Abdul stated, “We implore Governor Ododo to take further action to address the urgent issues facing Kogi.”
He also praised the governor’s security initiatives, highlighting the recent achievements of Kogi’s security forces, but emphasized the necessity of community involvement and sustainability in combating instability.
In order to promote growth in the state, Abdul also asked the governor to start town hall meetings with the populace, limit the size of his cabinet, and recruit experts with pertinent expertise.
Ododo was elected in November 2923 and took office on January 27, 2024, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
