Immediate past Govenror, Idris Wada has again challenged Kogi governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to public debate over his erroneous impression to the people about the state of affairs, before he became the governor in 2016
Capt Wada made this clarification on TVC program, on the activities of his adminstration between 2012-2016 as Kogi Governor
According to Capt Idris Wada,his government embarked on loan through bond of 20 billion,from the stock market at a very low rate of 14%, for a period of 7 years,preferable to a commercial bank loan that the interest rate is always higher
He said because of political detractors the state was able to access 8 billion from the bond, as it was judiciously utilised and invested through the convening of some legacy projects
He detonated the misconceptions from the state governor,Yahaya Bello that most of the projects were not completed,as some were commissioned before the exit of his administration,as the financial obligation to the contractors were fully met
Capt Wada said the ultra modern motor park,Kogi hotels,Kogi House, Kogi diagnostic and imaging centre,Ganaja- Otokiti bye pass,as well as other bonded projects were commissioned or at advance stage of completion, before the end of the adminstration
Former Governor Wada also told the public that salaries and pensions were paid for 46 months out of 48 months he spent in government, and left December and January allocation that was not ready before his exit,inspite of dwindling federal allocation
“He built the internally generated revenue from as low as 150 million to 600 million,as payment for workers relativity that jerked up workers salaries commitment from 2.6 Billion to over 3.8 Billion was strictly and religiously adhered to,including payment of leave grants and yearly increment as well as reviewed upward monthly impress by 100%
The former governor said lip service as it is currently obtainable in the area of empowerment and skill acquisition, were explored through YAD4KOGI and the establishment of Korea friendship institute known as KOICA
He said the dividends of skill and empowerment development for our youths was showcased recently during the visit of foreign Korean partners, that promised further training of some of the graduates abroad for further studies and job placement in Korea and other partnership countries
Capt Wada said lokoja township roads from welcome to lokoja at Zango to the international market,construction of standard drainages,street lighting were fully paid by his adminstration
Immediate past governor also applied and got approval to offset workers salaries through bailout , at the state level and differential in local government workers salaries, to the tune of 45.3 billion,while the state workers got 5.5 Billion for a paltry two months salaries arears,that was fully released to the present adminstration of Yahaya Bello to the tune of 50 .8 Billion meant for outstanding salaries