By Ralph Omololu Agbana
Senator Sunday Karimi of Kogi West recently engaged with the Yagba Action Group (YAG), a collective of professionals from the three Yagba local council areas in Kogi State. During this meeting, they discussed various developmental issues affecting the constituency, such as agriculture, road infrastructure, water supply, electricity, empowerment, job opportunities, and increased participation in legislative processes. In response, Senator Karimi, who also serves as the Chairman of the Senate Services Committee, highlighted his achievements over his first 14 months in office and outlined the challenges ahead. He promised to intensify efforts for more impactful representation.
**Addressing Deplorable Road Conditions in Kogi West**
Senator Karimi emphasized the dire state of federal roads in Kogi West, particularly the Kabba-Egbe-Ilorin road, which has been a longstanding issue. He shared his close relationship with the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who is also his neighbor and former Senate colleague. Karimi noted that Nigeria faces significant challenges in road infrastructure, with over 80% of federal highways in poor condition due to insufficient funding.
Karimi explained that while contracts for road repairs are frequently awarded, the available funds are often inadequate to complete the projects. He pointed out that the Kabba-Egbe-Ilorin road, awarded to CGC in 2014, remains incomplete due to a lack of sustained funding. Senator Karimi has been in talks with various stakeholders, including the Minister of Works and Mangal Cement, to explore alternative funding options, such as tax credit schemes, to address these issues.
Karimi also detailed his collaborative efforts with other senators and representatives from the region to push for immediate repairs on critical sections of the road. While progress has been slow, he remains committed to finding long-term solutions, including engaging with private sector partners like Mangal Cement to take on portions of the road project.
**Agriculture and Electricity Initiatives**
On agriculture, Senator Karimi highlighted his motion in the Senate addressing food insecurity and the need for immediate government intervention. This led to the distribution of fertilizer to farmers across the country, including Kogi West. He personally facilitated the distribution of over 2,400 bags of fertilizer to farmers in his constituency, emphasizing the importance of agriculture in combating poverty and ensuring food security.
In terms of electricity, Karimi acknowledged the challenges posed by the federal government’s failed privatization policy, which has left many areas in his constituency without reliable power. He discussed ongoing efforts to address these issues, including securing funding for transformers and solar-powered boreholes to improve water supply across the senatorial district. He also emphasized the need for significant investment in the power infrastructure to resolve the long-standing electricity issues in Yagba South East and other areas.
**Supporting Education and Small Businesses**
Senator Karimi has initiated several programs to support education and small businesses in Kogi West. He announced the establishment of an annual bursary for students in public higher institutions, with over 1,000 students set to benefit this year. He also launched a N100 million small-scale business fund to empower 50 registered women cooperative societies in the district, fulfilling his campaign promise to support small businesses and start-ups.
Additionally, Karimi highlighted his efforts to attract significant federal funding for infrastructure projects in the region, including the construction of a N1.2 billion Model School in Kotonkarfe, the only one of its kind in North Central Nigeria.
**Enhancing Security in Kogi West**
In response to the security challenges in Kogi West, particularly the activities of bandits and kidnappers, Senator Karimi has taken proactive measures. He played a key role in the construction of a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Egbe, strategically located at the intersection of Kogi, Kwara, and Ekiti states. This military base is nearing completion and is expected to enhance security across the region. Karimi personally financed the project, which includes housing for soldiers, an officers’ mess, and an armory.
**Constituents’ Participation in Legislative Processes**
Looking ahead, Senator Karimi plans to hold a constituency outreach and an account of stewardship by November 2024. He will present his legislative activities and seek input from constituents on laws and projects for the coming year. He emphasized that his legislative efforts, including sponsoring bills and motions on critical national and local issues, are driven by the needs of Kogi West.
In conclusion, Senator Karimi reiterated his commitment to addressing the developmental challenges facing Kogi West. He called for continued collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure that the needs of his constituents are met effectively.