By Olu Samuel, Lokoja
The state executive Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has presented cheques worth millions of naira to Odu Ikaka and Odu Ajaruwa eke communities in Dekina local government area for the stepping down of electricity to these villages.
The project is to be implemented under the community and social development project funded by Kogi state government.
Governor Bello while speaking during the official presentation of cheques to the leaders of the two communities for the implementation of the projects in Lokoja, expressed his administration’s determination to invest in the transformation of the rural areas through the agency.
The state governor who was represented by the state Auditor General, Alhaji Yakubu Yusuf Okala observed that the electrification projects when completed would uplift the well-being of grassroots dwellers and boost their socio-economic status.
According to the governor the projects would be finished in record time and the people will celebrate this year’s Christmas and New year with light in their houses asserting that it is in fulfillment of his campaign promises to the people.
”These two Communities have lived for a decade without electricity due to political reasons of the immediate past administration of Capt Idris Wada who haied from the area,but Governor Yahaya Bello demystified all odds to bring comfort and succour to the populace through his administration’s doggedness and actions”.
Governor Bello admonished the two benefiting villages to adequately utilities the funds provided to them and equally assured the resolve of the present administration in allocating more resources to the agency in the fullfilment of its mandate to do more for rural areas.
In a keynote address, the General Manager of the agency,Chief Dauda Momoh explained that the two communities projects are the second to be financed by the state government after the closure of the World Bank funding for CSDP last year.
He further informed that with the issue-ing of fifty percent cheques for the commencement of work for the electrification to two benefiting communities, light will be available for the communities for the Christmas and New year’s festival.
Chief Dauda also tap the state Auditor General, Alhaji Yakubu Okala on the back for his deep interest and support for his people saying that the projects for the two communities were made posible by settling the Communities counterpart fund which fast-track the process of work
Mallam Akowe who spoke onbehalf of the Communities and doubles as the community’s project monitoring committee commended the state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello for bringing smile to the faces of the people by extending dividends of democracy to their areas.
He lauded their illustrous son and the state Auditor General, Alhaji Yakubu Yusuf Okala for rekindling the lost glory of their communities with the payment of the counterpart fundings and assured of the judicious utilization of the resources for the reason it was given.
The all important and epoch making ceremony was climaxed with the signing of the grant agreements and presentation of cheques to the benefiting communities by the governor’s representative.