FROM EMMANUEL ADEYEMI, Lokoja
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.