Kogi LG to employ 50,000 Youths, women
In order to create employment
opportunities and reduce poverty in the area, Igala- mela local
government council of Kogi State is to establish large acres of farms.
The chief administrator of the council ,
Hon Joseph Baron Okwoli stated this during a town hall meeting with
workers and stakeholders at Ajaka, headquarters of the council on the
occasion of his one year in office. He said farming is the only major recipe to poverty and unemployment that have bedevilled his people.
According to him, the farm when
established is capable of employing over 50,000 youths and women in the
area and providing income for the council. He said since his assumption
of office, he has paid workers and
pensioners up to April and has constructed over 15 feeder roads to help
facilitate the transportation of farm produce to urban centres.
The local government boss who said
contrary to rumours that he was owing 15 months salaries, he said he has
paid over 959 of the 1,116 staff up to April, saying the remaining few
people who are yet to receive their salaries were those who had issues
with the just concluded staff screening exercise.
Aside from providing other empowerment
initiatives to the people, he said he has constructed over 32 boreholes,
rehabilitated several primary schools and paid JAMB fees for over 500
students.
Baron who said his administration’s
blueprint is aimed at transforming the local government however called
on the people to cooperate with the Yahaya Bello administration saying
the governor means well for the state. He said all arrangements have
been concluded to construct a befitting secretariat for the council to
cater for the office accommodation that is currently affecting the staff
of the council.