Kogi sights Agriculture As Major Tool for Development

The present administration in Kogi State says the emphasis it has placed on agriculture followed the discovery that it is a major tool for development.
Kogi State Deputy Governor,Yomi Awoniyi,gave the indication while fielding questions from newsmen on why the Capt Idris Wada administration has placed so much premium on agriculture especially in the cultivation of Rice,Cassava and Cashew.
Awoniyi disclosed that the present administration has laid the foundation stone that will make the State the biggest rice producers in the country,urged the people to take advantage of the process put in place by the administration to make the country stop the importation of rice that runs into billions of naira annually.
Awoniyi disclosed that having made rice a development product,the State now has five mini Rice Mills with the State having the capacity to mill 200000kg per day.
Awoniyi described the transformation agenda of Capt Idris Wada as one that is on course with the up grade and improvement of physical structures in the health,education and other sectors receiving attention.
He also disclosed that in a matter of weeks, the State Government will address through the procurement of vehicles the difficulty faced by the people in the area of intercity and intra-city transport services.
On what has been the fate of the recommendations made by the blue print committee handed to the Wada administration at inception,Awoniyi disclosed that despite the tough environment the present administration has had to operate,the spirit of the document is still been religiously followed and operated by Capt Wada as a guide.
While noting that governance in the state as should be expected have its challenges, insufficient financial resources to meet several competing demands has been the major set back to the Wada administration.
Awoniyi however explained that the present administration has been proactive in boosting the State’s internally generated revenue. He added that close to a hundred percent increase has been achieved by the administration in its IGR.
He assured that with the expected passage of the bill on revenue matters by the State Assembly, a new vister will be opened for the state to have an increase in internally generated revenue .
On the on-going construction of the 272 post flood housing scheme, Awoniyi described the gesture as one aimed at decongesting the flood plain areas of the State,promising that the houses will be completed by September.
The Deputy Governor who doubles as Chairman flood management committee said from scientific records available, the flood will this year be severe and may come sooner than that of last year but said proactive measures have being taken to forestall damages as was experienced last year.
Awoniyi,appealed to people leaving in flood prone areas of the State to heed the warning appeal and move to higher ground even as the government he added prepares,prays and wish that the flood does not come again.

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