Governor Ododo Seeks FG’s Help to Tackle Insecurity, Flooding in Kogi

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Kogi State Governor, Mr. Usman Ododo, yesterday called on the federal government to urgently assist in tackling the menace of insecurity and incessant flooding in some parts of the state.

The governor made the call when he received a delegation of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) at the Government House in Lokoja.

Ododo said Kogi, as a transit state that borders 10 other states, was in dire need of improved financial intervention from the federal government to address challenges of insecurity and flooding.

He said as the gateway to both the northern and southern parts of the country, Kogi should be a safe haven for all travellers, hence the need for improved security.

“Findings revealed that the menace of insecurity and flooding in Kogi can impact other states bordering it if left unaddressed.

“This is the reason why we beg to be considered for improved funding from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission under the Stabilisation Fund to address emerging challenges in the state as part of ongoing special intervention by the federal government,” he said.

Responding, the Leader of the delegation from the commission, Bako Shettima explained that the team was in Kogi to verify the justification for the disbursement of the Stabilisation Fund given the state government’s request.

Shettima promised to look into the issues presented to the commission to address them.

“It’s the hope of this commission to take proactive steps to meet the demands put forth by the Kogi government,” he said.

Ododo later took the RMAFC delegation on a tour of some ongoing projects in the state.

Some of the projects inspected included the 9 9-kilometre Zone 8-Zango-GYB Road, 5.5-kilometre Zone 8-Crusher Road, and the refurbishment workshop at the Kogi State Agricultural Development Project complex in Felele, among others.