COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE NIGERIAN POST NEWSPAPER AGENDA SETTING ROUNDTABLE DIALOGUE HELD 14TH DECEMBER 2023 AT THE NUJ PRESS CENTER LOKOJA.
PREAMBLE
In view of the just concluded governorship election held on11th November 2023 in Kogi State and the emergence of Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo as the governor elect who will be inaugurated on 27th January 2024.
The Nigerian post brought together stakeholders from the various segments of the state in order to come up with a working document for the incoming administration.
The keynote address was delivered by Comr. Hamza Aliyu on agenda setting peoples expectation, while the organized labour, the informal sector, Kogi State chamber of commerce, Mines, industry and Agriculture as well as public spirited individuals sent in their presentation.
The kogi state internal revenue service also enlightened the participants on the revenue profile of the state past and present.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATION
That the November 11th Governorship election polarized the state along ethnic and parochial cleavages, hence the need for the incoming administration to reorient the minds of the people towards a united kogi state especially as regards election and its outcome.
To improve on the gains of the present administration in the area of revenue generation to enhance performance through expansion of the tax nets without much burden on the people.
Increase the income and productivity of the youths in order to reduce the prevalence crime and criminality.
Place emphasis on women empowerment through Agro business.
Take a critical look at the Agricultural sector with the view to improving budgetary allocation to the sector to engender food security.
Improve on the health care delivery with emphasis on employing more health workers.
Build educational curriculum in addition to infrastructure with the introduction of new courses relevant to our environment as well as initiate education policy.
Massive investment in critical infrastructure such as urban and rural roads, electricity, portable water with wide range reticulation.
Support for the business community in order to create employment.
Support for the Informal Sector in the State by providing social protection as well as stop duplication of taxes by KGIRS for informal worries.
Trade facilitation through support for trade fair.
Promote digital economy.
Develop our water ways and transportation in order to engender a robust blue economy.
Improve the extractive industry considering the enormous solid mineral resources deposit in the state.
Improve on the tourism sector to attract investors, thereby increasing revenue.
There should be accountability and transparency in order to win the trust and confidence of the citizens.
To complete issues that revolves around leave bonus, allowances and screening of primary school teachers.
Establish kogi state teachers professional development institute (KSTDP).
To recruit more professional teachers.
Abolition of percentage salaries to teachers and local government workers.
Establishing consensus to promote women and youths electoral participation and consider adoption of affirmative action for women.
Reinvigorating of the civil service by employing young graduates to fill in the gap of retirees.
Synergize with labour for a robust industrial relationship by way of regular interface with organized labour.
Initiate Medicare for retirees and senior citizens.
Harmonization of pension for both state and local government.
Payment of full monthly pension.
Pensioners should be included in the palliative measures to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
The incoming administration should consolidate on the achievements of the present administration in security and also reduce cost in this area.
All ongoing projects should be completed while new one should be initiated.
Communique Drafting Committee.
(1) Samuel Enejo Jibrin
(2) Abu Michael.