By Dada Ahmed.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, inaugurated Reference hospital, Okene and other sundry projects executed by Governor Yahaya Bello-led administration with a promise to make Ajaokuta Steel complex “work again”.
Reference hospital,Okene, one of the legacy projects inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Photo credit: Kogipedia.
Speaking during the occasion, the president said his administration was working to reposition kogi state for her future as an industrial hub.
He said,”We are passionate about activating its potential as a centre of Nigeria solid minerals, especially, in iron and steel.
The president expressed optimism that when operational, Ajaokuta complex would provide an estimated 500,000 jobs and earn the nation, more than $1.06 billion as annual income into its economy as some of the advantages derivable from of making the complex work again.
Also inaugurated by the president is Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre, Lokoja.
He assured Nigerians of his administration’s commitment to realising the objective of making Ajaokuta Steel complex a reality before the end of his tenure in office.
He commended Governor Yahaya Bello and his team for demonstrating “courageous leadership”, manifesting in execution of impressive array of”legacy projects” he inaugurated at the occasion,to boost social and economic development of the state and its citizens.
Buhari itemized the projects inaugurated to include: the new Confluence University of Science and Technology,CUSTECH,Osara, Confluence Rice Mill,Ejiba, construction of township roads in Okene,Idah and Kabba, Muhammadu Buhari Civic, the newFlyover at Ganaja junction,the first of its kind in the state among other sundry projects.
In his address of welcome, Governor Yahaya Bello also commended the president for his support to his administration,a development he noted helped him in transforming the state through the execution of various projects which had direct bearing on the life of the people of the state.
He said that since he was sworn in as the governor of the State in 2016, he resolved to impact positively in the life of the people and as such, embarked on a New Direction as a delibrate policy to fulfill his lofty idea in rhyme with his electoral promises to the people.
The governor, who is running his two-term tenure said:”We quickly commissioned professionals in dimensional sectors to form New Direction Blue Print, adding that the document produced by the professionals served as guideline for the acceleration of the state.
The new Flyover at Ganaja junction, Lokoja also inaugurated.
He said his administration took time to go round the nooks crannies of the state, to determine and know what people want built their demands into the yearly state budgetary provisions and follow them up to the letter to enable every citizen benefit from the state resources.
Receiving the president and his entourage,The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr Ado Ibrahim, represented by the Ohi of Okengwen, Alhaji Yakubu Anaje, commended Buhari for his efforts in making sure that Ajaokuta Steel complex begins production among others.
The Ohinoyi also stressed the need by the present administration in the country to ensure that Ajaokuta Steel complex is achieved before the end of its tenure,in view of the social and economic importance of the project to Nigerians among other factors.
