No Mandate To Reclaim, Engr. Ohere's Victory, Clean, Clear, Most Credible in Kogi Central

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kogi Central Senatorial District have been advised to stop Media trial and efforts at seeking for sympathy over their woeful loses at the just concluded Presidential, National and State Assembly Election held in the district, insisting that there is no mandate to reclaim by the PDP in an election that was squarely won, clean and clear by Engr. Abubakar Ohere of the APC.

The Ohere Political Vanguard, in a statement signed by Taihiru Usman Maliki while reacting to a misleading report on behalf of the Senator Elect, Kogi Central Senatorial District, Engr. Abubakar Ohere, described the PDP Senatorial District Candidate as a bad looser who's trade in stock over the years is to take to the social media to calculate her electoral victory after her outright rejection at the polls.

We make bold to State that for the first time in history of election in Kogi Central, going by the assessment of International and Local observers, the election was adjudged as free, fair, credible, with not a single violence recorded.

The Ohere Political Vanguard wish to therefore describe the misleading information sponsored in section of online media aimed at weeping up sentiments by Barr. Kogi Central Residents with a Story titled: Residents Throw Weight Behind Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Confident of Retrieving Mandate, described the PDP Senatorial Candidate as living in life of hallucination, asked her to wise up, come to terms with reality that election are over and the APC victory remains a reality.

The Ohere Political Vanguard wonders why in the figment of the imagination of the PDP candidate she will be calculating figures on the air forgetting that INEC as a body and it's activities are governed by the laws.

The Vanguard further described as laughable for the PDP Flagbearer to want to teach INEC on how to declare a winner, explained that each time the PDP Flagbearer loses in an election, it is always like day dream to her. just like it happened at the National Assembly Election, thus making her resort to film making and drama acting on the social media.

The Ohere Political Vanguard notes for the umpteenth time that it is a trade in stock of the PDP never to agree to defeat in any contest, described the present scenario by the PDP Senatorial as an act they are used to.

The Ohere Political Vanguard is not surprised that the PDP is not tired of complaining in an already won contest, urged them to simply concede to defeat rather than attempt to overheat the polity for no just cause, better still head to court for justice as it claim in their news report.

It is unfortunate that since the PDP attempt at militarizing the election in Kogi Central was not able to yield results, the candidate has resorted to manufacturing and manipulating figures on air for INEC to declare them winner outside an already collated result in an election freely won by the APC Senatorial Candidate.

The attempt to claim victory on the air is to us an aberration and undemocratic. We  wonder if it was that simple the way election are won on paper as postulated by the PDP candidate, there wouldn't have been any need for contest in the first place as people would rather work towards the kind of PDP victory through mischief.

The PDP candidate for now should have been  tired of complaining in an already won contest and simply concede and to accept defeat or better still present evidence at the court rather than propaganda.

Manufacturing and manipulating figures on the air for INEC to declare the PDP winner in a mandate freely given by the people of Kogi Central to the APC outside already collated figures is an aberration and Undemocratic, making us to wonder if that was actually the way election are won.  Nobody would have contested election in the first place but rather work towards the kind of PDP victory through mischief.

The PDP without fear or contradiction was a party that was roundly defeated in the February 25th National Assembly Election but has refused to accept defeat for the mere fact that extortion from the higher purse must be allowed to dry up, a character trait the PDP is known for.

Certainly, that the PDP is inflicted with Pain is not out of place having been outrightly rejected can be understood owing to the quantity of dollars invested in the Kogi Central election that was for them a do or die. We however advice Barr. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to come to terms with the reality that the people of Kogi Central have freely and willingly given their mandate to the APC.

The outcome of the Kogi Central Senatorial District election is a choice made owing to capacity, competence and antecedents of Engr Abubakar Ohere, a quality that has over the years made him a household name.

While the use of fictitious names in the misleading report by the Barr. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Campaign Organization remains a hoax, holds no water, the people of Kogi Central since the election results have been declared in favour of the most acceptable candidate, have since moved on, expecting the much desired democracy dividends to start trickling in when Engr. Abubakar Ohere assumes representation.

We therefore use this medium to call on the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District that there mandate is secured and would not be reclaimed outside democratic tenets, rather with overwhelming evidences, we assure them their mandate would be affirmed, signed and sealed legally owing to the preponderance of evidence that the election was free fair and credible.

If for any reason the wounds are refusing to heal, we urge the Barr. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Campaign Organization to seek legal means of redress in the Tribunal, but they should be rest assured that the APC within the ambit of the law will do all that is desired in protecting and securing the mandate freely given by the people of Kogi Central for Engr Abubakar Ohere of the APC for the good and prosperity of the people.

We are back to sites for timely delivery of projects - Kogi Works Commissioner

 

The Kogi State Commissioner for Works and Housing,  Engr Abubakar Sadiku Ohere has said all Contractors handling Kogi State Government projects are since back to sites immediately after the festivities to continue with the infrastructural revolution going on in the state in order to ensure timely delivery of projects. 

Engr. Ohere made this known while inspecting some of the ongoing projects in the State Capital of Lokoja, saying Governor Yahaya Bello had given him a marching order to ensure timely delivery of all ongoing projects. 

“As you can see, all our Contractors are back to their various sites for vigorous work to ensure timely deliver of these projects to the people. 

“You would recall that at the beginning of 2021 when many states were lamenting the devastating effects of Covid-19 on their economy, the Governor released billions of naira for life-touching and economic revamping capital projects.

“While many see 2022 as a year of politics, the Governor has already directed us to go back to site to continue to work so that our people can begin to reap the fruits of what we have been laboring for over the past few years and months”.

Engr Ohere said some of the strategic road projects within Lokoja will help decongest traffic in the State Capital which is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. 

He further disclosed that his Ministry has put in place, a strategy that  would bring about quick delivery of the projects and assured that the quality of works would not be compromised as the people of the State are used to the GYB standard. 

He urged the contractors not to compromise the GYB standard, adding that his Ministry would continue to monitor all projects regularly and thoroughly to ensure people have value for money spent on those projects. 

“We are doing many projects at the same time, with the same speed, with the GYB standard as our people deserve the best. As a Government,  we will never compromise quality”, he assured. 

Some of the road projects  visited were Maigari Palace to Old Central Mosque roundabout; Fem Hotel/GTbank junction to Kogi Circle and NTA roundabout and NTA roundabout to Post Office and  Marine Road(MoW/H) "Jakura" end of the road.

Others are Stella Obasanjo Library /Government House/Kogi Hotels; and GTBank Junction/Hydro Junction/Post Office and Cemetery Road Junction.

Similarly drainages from all these roads up to INEC road are receiving prompt attention to keep them ready and adequate before the rains. 

The Commissioner for Works also told newsmen that contractors are working day and night to deliver the roads, hospitals and schools under construction across the state. 

“We have completed a good number of roads and other infrastructure that are already in use. Other massive ones are the Reference Hospital and other Model Hospitals and Schools that we are building across the three Senatorial Districts. 

“We are very satisfied and excited that these projects are already taking shape now. They are the signature projects that will separate this administration from others before it. 

“Apart from the fair distribution of the projects, GYB has remained faithful to his development blueprint. In the next couple of months, we shall witness a festival of project commissioning across the length and breadth of Kogi State”.

In the same vein, some indigenes of Lokoja have expressed excitement over the road projects in the State Capital. 

Adejoh Gabriel, a trader who resides in Lokoja said he has been impressed with the ongoing road projects in Lokoja. 

“I am from Ankpa and am quite familiar with the road projects of this administration. We thank them for constructing the Ankpa Township Roads. I also know they have done quite a number of roads in Igalaland. 

“Our concern has been the Lokoja Township Roads. The Governor seemed to be more concerned about the rural roads. But we are now seeing a great difference. The road in my area is now very good and I want to say thank you to the Governor”.

An Adankolo resident in Lokoja, Oloruntomi Abiodun told our correspondents that he is impressed with the ongoing construction of a magnificent edifice at Government Day Secondary School, Adankolo. 

“I have never seen such before. This is a clear statement that Yahaya  Bello is capable of giving us good things that we have never seen before. With the way they are working there, it will be delivered very soon”.

Changing times in Lokoja as Gov. Bello's road rehabilitation project gathers momentum

 

... Engr. Ohere Says it's fulfillment of Gov. Bello's campaign Promises to the people

By Abu Micheal.

Life is changing for the better in Kogi State with the road rehabilitation program of Gov Yahaya Bello, in Lokoja enters a new phase. The government is rehabilitating urban as well as opening up rural areas through the construction of feeder and major roads to link communities and major towns in the State.

The residents of the Capital are happy at this development; so also is Engr. Abubakar Ohere, the State Commissioner for Works and Housing, who while inspecting the ongoing construction of the Lokoja township roads recently, said it was in fulfillment of the campaign Promises of Gov. Yahaya Bello to the people.

For Governor Yahaya Bello, his idea of providing roads linking villages, local Government and other major towns in the State is basically to open up the State to economic opportunities.

The Governor’s road development policy is a deliberate and strategic one because good road network is an important complement to improved transport system. It is also indispensable for the transportation of goods and services from the rural settlements to the major markets centers and to also enhance social interaction between the citizens and people from other parts of the Country.

For Gov. Bello, the practical reality of constructing new roads only calls for the rehabilitation of old ones. Little wonder, the repositioning of the Kogi State Road Maintenance Agency.

This has equally added value to the Governor’s determination to ensure that all State roads are pothole free and motor able all year round.

From the beginning of his second term administration, the present administration has not hidden its desire in providing quality roads across the State.

With the purchase of additional equipments for the Kogi State Road Maintenance Agency, everyone knew that the Governor was only matching words with action in his road revolution programme.

The rehabilitation of the Lokoja township roads, Engr. Ohere disclosed will not only open up the State capital, Lokoja the capital he noted is landlocked, coupled with the devastation caused by not rehabilitating the roads over the years by past administration, the State capital needed to be opened up. 

Presently, the roads from Nataco Junction, all through the traditional areas, through the township, will certainly open up the town to more opportunities and development.

Also the determination to place emphasis on roads in the city capital according to Engr. Ohere, which is also replicated in roads in the three Senatorial Districts in reconstruction and rehabilitation, was due to depreciation, dilapidation and natural wastages. He said as a responsible government, Gov. Bello considered it most appropriate to not only place emphasis on rehabilitation and reconstruction of new ones despite the State’s lean financial resources.

Furthermore, the road rehabilitation of Kabba, Ankpa, Idah, Okene amongst other township roads that are already on-going according to Engr. Ohere is to ease the stress being faced by the people. It is important to state that the present administration in the State is widening the drainages along all the township roads among others in the State.

The massive Ganaja Flyover Bridge project, a mother of all project, thirty years after the creation of the State is a beauty to behold. Several administration had shied away from the Flyover owing to the huge capital outlay. Today, Gov. Bello has conquered the fear of past administration as today the Ganaja Flyover Bridge is already a success story.

The Governor's intervention in Ganaja Junction to Ganaja Village road a Federal road that saw contractors almost abandoning the project, needs commendation, has brought relieve to motorists, remains indelible in the hearts of the people.

For those who may not know, the construction company working on the abandoned embarkment project in Kabba, CEEZALI Construction Company has been ordered to move its equipment to site to begin work on the abandoned Wada bye pass, a project which when completed, would ease traffic from the township to burst out in the Secretariat Junction. Importantly, the Governor has directed for a review of the road construction plan to enable it stand the test of time as against the earlier plan.

Still in the subsector, the state government is fixing all the roads in the Capital City with street lights, while it is beautifying the road madian, a deliberate action that has improved the aesthetic beauty of the roads befitting of a State Capital.

The roads under rehabilitation in the State Capital Includes:   NTA-Kogi cycle road, NTA-Post Office-Ministry of Works road, Cemetery-Hydro junction road,  Wallace – Maigeri – Old Central Mosque road and Stella Obasanjo – Government House road.

According to Engr. Ohere during one of his routine inspection of projects in the State Capital, assurred that the contractors handling the road projects in the State must justify Governments huge investment. 

The untireless efforts of Engr Ohere in constantly sleeping on project sites, not minding weekends, public holidays, has earned him the appellation of a man working tirelessly for the man Nigerians are waiting to the nation's next President come 2023.

The State government under Gov. Bello is no doubt spending its little money wisely and so in the words of the Commissioner, will not accept shoddy jobs, rather it must get value for money on all its on-going projects.

Looking also at the spread of the on-going road projects by Gov. Bello, the roads are no doubt evenly spread, which goes to confirm that the State is the Governor’s entire constituency.

It is expected that on completion of the road construction, the Local Government areas and the State in general will experience a boost in its economic activities as well as an improved face lift.

While it is a known fact that the present administration in the State has given road construction a boost, the appeal to people of the area where this constructions are on-going is for their people to give maximum co-operation to the contractors to facilitate a hitch free execution of the project.

After all, provision of infrastructure like road has remained cardinal to good governance. This will, perhaps explain why governments all over the world and at all levels, places it on their topmost agenda.

Infrastructure like; Roads, remain key issues of development. Apart from being evidences of development, they also enhance both economic and social lives of the people.

A hitherto unknown settlement can be advertised by a mere link through a good road. Little wonder, many communities in Nigeria will stop at nothing to have government come to their aid by fixing their roads as it will instantly open such communities to opportunities and enhance their socio -economic status.

Guided by this and other vision to build a greater Kogi State, Gov. Bello’s administration has no doubt shown the sincerity of purpose, in affecting the lives of the citizens through improved infrastructures. This is particularly noticed with the completion and ongoing rehabilitation of the several road projects across the state through the revitalization of the State Road Maintenance Agency and the use of reputable contracting firms.

Without mincing words, Gov. Bello has daily made his transformation vision in the transport sector a watershed, equally proving that he is a promise keeper, having promised to make his second term more rewarding than the first.

As it is presently according to Engr. Ohere, indeed this is changing times in Kogi State with the unusual manifestation of Gov. Bello in providing quality, durable and motorable roads for the people of Kogi State. This he clearly explained, makes Gov. Bello, best fit for Nigeria come 2023.

By Abu Micheal, is a Social Development Worker, Publisher, Writer and Public Affairs Commentator, Lives in Lokoja.

Gov. Bello's enabling environment, helping Engr. Ohere drive Kogi's infrastructure revolution

 

By Abu Micheal

A drive round the capital city of Lokoja, is a marvel, as one begin to wonder why the heavy construction is still going even during the yuletide, when in the States of the Federation, Government and Construction Companies have gone on long break.

Without mincing words, Gov. Yahaya Bello seems to have increased the steam, firing from all sides of the cylinder, as virtually all township roads in the State capital has come under the heavy weight and presence of machines and bulldozers of construction companies.

The resumption of work on the construction and rehabilitation of Lokoja township roads is certainly a fulfilment of Gov. Yahaya Bello as he has repeatedly promised to make his second term in office better than the first.

With so much achievements and impact made thus far on the infrastructure development of Lokoja metropolis, with same being equally replicated in the other local government areas of the State, makes people wonder, but with praises that Gov. Bello is no doubt working for posterity.

Amidst paucity of funds, a heavy wage bill of workers, with salaries paid till date to contend with, one man who seems to have the magic wand, actualizing the Governor's transformation blueprint in Infrastructure, making things happen in whatever Sector he finds himself is Engr Abubakar Ohere, Kogi State Commissioner for Works and Housing.

On assumption of office, Gov. Bello described the Commissioner as a man who can fit into any Ministry and place he finds himself. Then the governor was commending him for the outstanding performances made in the reconstruction of the SUBEB bridge that caved in. The Commissioner on assumption of office it would be recalled, mobilized resources, fixed the bridge, an action that attracted the admiration of Gov. Bello. That is history now, as Engr. Abubakar Ohere has proven the Governor's statement, that with the right environment made possible by the Governor, the SUBEB bridge accolades was a child's play as he has no doubt taking the lead in ensuring the infrastructure revolution in the State, as directed by Gov. Bello.

For Engr. Ohere, every day is work, no weekend, no public holidays. The Kogi State Commissioner for Works and Housing, Engr. Ohere during one of his routine visits to sites, an action that has ensured quality and value for money, disclosed that the work ongoing on road infrastructure in Lokoja and other ongoing infrastructure development in the State Capital is a battle that has been won by Gov. Bello and a promised fulfilled.

Road construction work is ongoing from the Maigari Palace through the traditional areas of Lokoja. The major roads passing the state capital is receiving attention. The massive Ganaja Flyover Bridge is a beauty to behold. The Governor's intervention in Ganaja Junction to Ganaja Village road a Federal road needs commendation, and would remain indelible in the hearts of the people.

For those who may not know, the construction company working on the abandoned embarkment in Kabba, CEEZALI Construction Company has moved its equipment to begin work on the abandoned Wada bye pass, a project which when completed, would ease traffic from the township to burst out in the Secretariat Junction. Importantly, the Governor has directed for a review of the road construction plan to enable it stand the test of time as against the earlier plan.

This whole development is coming at a time many are wondering the magic wand employed to achieve the feat, even as Engr Ohere in an interview had described Gov. Yahaya Bello as a leader with rare credentials of a true Leader, committed to the welfare of his people.

The Commissioner disclosed that the road construction which runs from the Maigari Palace to the adjoining link roads, also involved the roads from Government House to Zenith Bank Junction, expressed happiness with the pace and quality of work on all the ongoing road construction, said aside the beautification work on the road median, the street light project, the Government has began the expansion of the drainage from NTA Roundabout through to Government House.

Gov. Bello has with all intent and purposes kept with his promises to do more and has no doubt ensured that he speedy up work on the Lokoja township roads having been satisfied with the progress of work on the Ganaja Flyover, directed the resumption of work on the Lokoja township roads, a feat made possible by Engr Ohere positive disposition to always ensuring the GYB standard in project execution.

The ongoing development on Infrastructure in Lokoja by Gov. Bello has with all intent and purposes proven to be multidimensional, with the efforts of Gov Bello  not only aimed at infrastructure, it encompasses ongoing embarkment along the bank of the River Niger in Kabawa, aimed at controlling the incessant flooding that is annually affecting the capital city in the past. Erosion control. Improving aesthetic beauty of the capital and making the State capital city meet its status as a Confluence of possibilities.

Aside the work Ongoing at the GYB Model Science Secondary School, Adankolo, and in the other Senatorial Districts, the Lokoja Civic Centre, the ongoing street lighting in Lokoja, the beautification work on the street median is equally in progress, makes Engr. Ohere to adds that Gov. Bello is a man who is writing his name on the sands of time for the coming generation, described him as a rare Leader with a Midas touch, described Gov. Bello as a Presidential material that cannot be traded for Mundane sentiments.

Today the hallmarks of Gov Bello in checking medical tourism can be seen in the several health institutions undergoing facelift. From Gegu beki, to Isanlu, Okene, Ankpa, Idah, Ajaokuta, the Lokoja Specialist Hospital is a flagship and signature of quality service delivery the Governor envisage. For Engr. Ohere, eyes can see and even the blind can testify that Gov. Bello means business.

All over the country, one outstanding performance of Gov. Bello in security stands him tall as the safest State in the country. This is considering the huge Financial outlay it involves to protect lives and properties. When added with the ongoing infrastructure development, the unification of the people of the state in a multiplural State, makes many including Engr Ohere to Gov. Bello qualifies as best fit for the country’s President in 2023.

For now Kogi State is a work in progress, a huge construction site, with Engr. Ohere a man who is in the driver's assuring that, Gov. Bello is writing a positive history that would stand the test of time.