By Our Reporter
The Kogi State Accountability Platform (KAP) has called on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to fulfill his campaign promises of convening senatorial town hall meetings to engage directly with constituents to improve service delivery.
The call was made during a citizens’ perception meeting in Lokoja, which evaluated the state government’s performance across key sectors impacting daily life and developed actionable recommendations for improving service delivery.
According to a communiqué issued on Friday by KAP Chairman Hamza Aliyu, the promised town hall meetings by the governor have not yet occurred, thereby limiting direct engagement with citizens, urging Governor Ododo to fulfill his campaign promises.
However, KAP observed that the current administration has demonstrated a genuine commitment to citizen-centered governance through various pronouncements and initiatives. It also agreed that the political environment in Kogi state has stabilized, with reduced tensions compared to previous administrations.
The communique also observed that, despite significant budgetary allocations for 2025, many government service providers are falling short of citizens’ expectations.
“Following the removal of fuel subsidies, the government’s plan for a mass transport system has not materialized, leaving residents vulnerable to exploitative private transport operators.
“A large segments of the population still lack access to potable drinking water, relying on boreholes and streams despite the state’s vast water resources.
“There exists a waste management crisis in the state as Lokoja, the state capital, suffers from inadequate waste management infrastructure, contributing to public health risks and environmental degradation.
KAP recommended that “The Kogi State Waste Management Agency must be restructured to implement effective waste disposal systems and establish strategic waste dump sites in Lokoja and other urban areas.
“The Ministry of Health should establish a medical waste disposal facility in Lokoja to prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases.
“The State Ministry of Education must intensify monitoring of school authorities to enforce compliance with free education policies.
“The State Ministry of Transportation should develop a mass transit scheme to alleviate transportation challenges faced by citizens, particularly in Lokoja.
“Increased budgetary allocations to the Kogi State Ministry of Water Resources are essential for improving access to potable water statewide.”
The coalition reiterated its commitment to fostering accountability and improving governance in Kogi State.
KAP, a coalition of over 30 civil society organizations (CSOs), professional organizations, and community-based groups dedicated to monitoring and assessing governance performance in Kogi state, is effectively supported by Stallion Times Media Services.
