***Promises to rule with integrity, fear of God
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has assured that all on-going projects at the newly established Kogi State University, Kabba would be completed within the next 60 days.
The governor who gave the assurance on Tuesday while on inspection tour of the projects under construction in the institution assured parents, staff and students of the University that the projects would not suffer delay.
Ododo expressed delight over the pace of work saying that he was highly impressed with the level of work executed by the contractors and promised to release funds to enable them deliver on schedule.
He said the inspection tour was in fulfilment of his campaign promises to serve the state with integrity and to ensure value for money and accountability to the people.
The governor added that in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in providing quality education, restated his administration’s commitment to the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people.
Ododo reiterated his stance that as a servant of the people and an administration that believed in the power of the citizenry, he will govern with the fear of God so as to add value to the lives of the people of the state.
According to him, No Nation worth its onions can develop without giving prominence to the education of its citizenry.
Hence, he said, his administration would follow the footsteps of his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello who allocated 35 per cent of budgetary allocations to Education and assured that he would improve on it to give qualitative Education to the state.
Ododo noted that whatever funds were required to ensure speedy completion of the projects would be promptly released to ameliorate the hardships faced by the university community.
The Governor, during the tour, inspected the on-going construction of Obangede-Okaito-Ihima road in Okehi Local Government Area where he expressed satisfaction with the job.
Meanwhile, the governor, inspected the Senate building complex, library block and lecture theaters, road networks and expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done.
Earlier, the Vice chancellor of the University, Prof. Kehinde Eniola commended the governor for the inspection saying the visit would give him first hand information on the needs of the university.
The VC urged Governor Ododo to release more funds for the pressing needs of the university and ensured that Tetfund is made to be proactive with their interventions in some critical infrastructures in the school.
Prof. Eniola appealed to the governor to approve construction of perimeter fencing and provision of security equipment for the Institution to enable security agencies perform their duties effectively.
He also asked for the construction and equipment of Hostels, Laboratories, library and studios for the Theater arts and mass communication departments.
Speaking on behalf of other contractors, the spokesman of the CCECC construction, the company handling some projects in the school, assured that the projects would be completed on schedule.
He said some of the essential materials were not captured in the initial bill of quantity, but the company had commenced the installation and fixing of plumbing and electrical equipment.
The Spokesman added that with the release of funds, the drainage and evacuation of laterite would be completed in 30 days.
Recall that the Kogi state University Kabba was established late 2023 with the initial intake of 1,040 students. (Ends)