The Kogi State Executive Council has approved a raft of projects and interventions covering agriculture, infrastructure, education, healthcare and social welfare, including support for farmers, the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ), the Kogi International Airport and a welfare programme targeting more than 5,000 indigent residents.
The approvals were made at the Council’s meeting presided over by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in Lokoja on Monday.
The Council also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the ongoing reconstruction of the Abuja-Lokoja-Okene-Benin Highway, describing the project as a major infrastructure intervention that would strengthen connectivity between the North Central and South-South geopolitical zones.
According to the Council, completion of the highway would ease the movement of people and goods, boost trade and investment, improve access to markets and create new economic opportunities for communities along the corridor.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Timothy Ojoma, said the Council approved the procurement of fertilisers, agricultural chemicals and other essential farm inputs to support farmers across the state.
He said the intervention was designed to sustain food production during both wet and dry seasons, stressing that agriculture remained a major priority of the Ododo administration.
Ojoma also announced that Kogi had made significant progress towards the take-off of the SAPZ, with the necessary studies, qualification processes and approvals completed.
He said land preparation and site allocation had also progressed, describing the project, supported by the African Development Bank, as a major opportunity to transform agricultural production and processing in the state.
According to him, the SAPZ would strengthen agricultural value chains, attract investment, create markets for farmers and reduce post-harvest losses.
The Commissioner added that strategic road projects in Ibaji, Bassa and Kabba-Bunu Local Government Areas had also received attention, particularly to improve the movement of agricultural produce to processing centres and markets.
He further disclosed that the state was collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the Bank of Agriculture on initiatives to increase food production, including plans for poultry and egg production centres across the 21 local government areas.
On infrastructure, Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Taiye Abanika, said the Council approved Phase Two of students’ hostel accommodation at the Confluence University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Okene.
The approval, he said, also covered furniture for the students’ accommodation and doctors’ quarters, adding that the project would cater for students progressing into clinical training.
Abanika also disclosed that construction of the Kogi International Airport had commenced, with site clearing, mobilisation of equipment and perimeter fencing already underway.
He said the airport would enhance connectivity, facilitate the movement of people and goods and create opportunities for investment and economic development.
The Commissioner further disclosed that the Council approved the End Care Programme, which is expected to provide support and welfare benefits to more than 5,000 indigent residents across the state.
In the information sector, the Council approved the renovation of the headquarters of the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation (KSBC) in Lokoja and the installation of solar power systems at its radio stations in Ocheja and Okene.
It also approved quarterly media briefings by the Ministry of Information and Communications to provide regular updates on government policies, programmes, projects and achievements.
The Council additionally approved moves to reposition the administration of lottery, signage and food-related matters through new legislation.
The state government said the decisions formed part of the Ododo administration’s broader efforts to strengthen infrastructure, promote food security, expand economic opportunities and improve the welfare of residents across Kogi State.