Ismailia Isah, Special Adviser on Media to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has confirmed that Federal Government has already approved the establishment of an International Airport in the state.
The governor’s spokesman, who was answering questions on Classic FM 94.3 Abuja, as part of Media Engagements ahead of the first one year in office of the Governor, did not specify where the airport would be sited.
According to him, work on the International Airport will soon commence, adding that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with NEXIM Bank for development of processing facilities for agricultural products for export of and local industries among others.
Ismaila Isah said that the Governor, as the State’s Chief Marketing Officer, is working hard to engage relevant Federal Agencies and the International Community as well as investors in the private sector for collaboration that will ensure that the resources of Kogi are used for the development of the State.
According to him, the Governor has been reaching out to illustrious sons and daughters of the state on the need to invest in the state, pointing out that the discussions are already yielding positive results.
He said that with efforts of Governor Ododo, the establishment of an Industrial Park with the status of Free Trade Zone in the State is already in the pipeline.
The Governor’s Spokesman said that prices of food items are now crashing in the state compared to the past, explaining that crop processing facilities have been provided as the government has been encouraging farming by buying directly from farmers.
On security of lives and property, the Special Adviser said that a lot has been invested in the security sector which has produced positive results.
He said that apart from the purchase of gadgets as well as hundreds of vehicles and motorcycles for hunters, vigilantes and conventional security agencies, the government is also in constant touch with neighbouring states in a bid to take the fight against crimes and criminality to hideouts of criminals in and around the state.
Ismailia Isah said that Governor Ododo had since released over N600 million for the payment of WAEC fees, restructured the Bursary Programme for indigent students in tertiary institutions, free education from primary to secondary schools in public schools among others.
He said that one unique achievement of the present administration in the state is the completion of projects inherited from the immediate past administration of Governor Yahaya Bello as a deliberate effort to avoid the scourge of project abandonment in the state.
Such projects according to him, are the nine kilometer GYB Junction-Zango-Zone eight round about road and 5.5 kilometer Crusher-Zone 8 round about road which has been completed and awaiting commissioning.