A Human Rights Activist in Kogi State, Comrade Idris Miliki Abdul, has called on the Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo led administration to urgently take steps to complete all abandoned projects in the state, particularly in the tourism Sector to create wealth for the state and generate employments for the teaming unemployed youths of the state.
Comrade Miliki in a message to comemorate the 34th anniversary of the creation of Kogi state, noted that several abandoned projects litter the state, particularly in the tourism sector, saying that the two major hotels (Confluence Beach and Kogi Hotel) owned by the state government have been abandoned without any valid reason.
Miliki who is also the Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), stressed that these hotels would have create employment, generate revenue and provide services to Kogi people and Nigerians alike, thereby making Kogi State a tourist haven.
“we call on the state government to urgently intervene in this sector. Mount-Patti should have been developed to boost tourism, generate employment and revenue to the state. We call on the governor to take a look at the Mount-Patti, by visiting the place on a personal on the spot assessment, because of the potentials of that great and historical location.
He called on the government, to as a matter of urgency establish a State owned television station, to promote information sharing, a development he said will encourage transparency in governance.
Speaking further he said
“The Place of Housing and its development cannot be over emphasized. we therefore call on the state government to put strategy in place and to look at it from the commercial perspective in investment, as whatever money invest in it, cannot be a waste and can still come back to the state government and will serve as an assets for the people.
“We call for the review and upgrade of the social protection register in the state and for the government to have social investment policy that can guide the distribution of palliatives and other Humanitarian activities of the government, now that we have Ministry of Humanitarian in the State.
“We call for the review of Environmental policy through environmental conference that can identify environmental challenges and come out with strategy for intervention as the environmental situation across the state is worrisome and risky for epidemic and health hazard across the State.
“The governor should also take a look at the transport sector, and put strategy in place that will improve the land, water and air transportation system, that can create employment and generate revenue for the state.
According to Miliki, by the proximity of Kogi State to the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), and having boundaries with 10 other states, the state should consider the possibility of creating an airport in partnership with private sector.
He noted that Kogi State which was created on the 27th of August 1991 by the then military government of General Ibrahim Babangida, have been governed by four military Governors, and four civilian governors, including an Acting Governor, saying that the 34 years of existence of Kogi State, calls for reflection, evaluation and stock taking.