A ray of hope that efforts to reopen the Federal Medical Centre Lokoja, shut down to residents and patients some months ago almost completed.
The Lawmaker Representing Lokoja Kogi Federal Constituency, Barr. Shaba Ibrahim made the disclosure, gave assurances that talks are ongoing and almost completed for the medical institution to reopen.
The member who stated this weekend while speaking on his achievements within one year in officer, said high level talks are ongoing with the relevant stakeholders towards addressing the gray areas, regretted the action that led to the closure and the sufferings the people of the State have been made to go through.
The Lawmaker said very soon the FMC Lokoja would reopen, expressed optimism of an early reopening soon, said issues of insecurity and equipments that led to the closure is been addressed.
He equally assured that the Constituency would soon take the advantages of location of Several Federal Institutions to gain employment and other benefits associated with having Federal Institutions domiciled in there areas.
He lamented that the outbreak of the Covid19 and the recent Endsars protest had greatly hampared his performances and that of the National Assembly, urged the people of the Constituency to look into the future with hope and optimism as he is fully committed to legislating on issues that bothers on there welfare.
He highlighted efforts towards improving securty in the Federal Constituency, assured that soon issues of insecurity like kidnapping, banditary and militia attacks ravaging the two LGAs under the Constituency would soon be a thing of the past.
He disclosed that the efforts to resuscitate the Ajaokuta Steel Company is yielding positive results, assured that when operational, the company would provide gainful employment opportunities for teeming graduates from the State.
The Member representing Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency in the National assured his constituents, that he will make the development of Agriculture in the area as his major priority, to create employment and resources for the people.
According to the Lawmaker, several hecters of land have been mapped out for irrigation farming, saying that the contractors have already moved to site to ensure timely completion of the project.
Other achievements recorded within the period under review, according to Shaba, includes, distribution of grinding machines to widows in lokoja and kogi local government areas, disaster assessment visit and donation of food and cash to communities ravaged by flood in the area.
Others he said includes; payment of hospital bills for victims of Akpogun tanker explosion, construction of solar powered boreholes in Lokoja, Karara, Banda, Felele, Omoko, Chikara, saying that while some solar powered projects are 90% completed, others would be Kick-started this week.
He said he was able to provide palliatives to his constituents to cushion the effects of the dreaded COVID-19, during the lockdown, adding that he was also able to construct and furnished block of classrooms in Ataji in Lokoja LGA.
Speaking further, the Lawmaker, said he was able to move two motions, which includes; Motion on urgent need to address incessant kidnapping in Kogi Local Government Area of Kogi and motion on urgent public importance for intervention in communities ravaged by flood and disaster in Lokoja and Kogi Local Government areas of Kogi State.
The special guest of honour, at the occasion and Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello described Barrister Shaba Ibrahim as a worthy Representative of his constituents and the entire Kogi State.
The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Edward Onoja, called on other Lawmakers from the state to emulate Barrister Shaba by constantly interacting with their constituents so as to be abreast with their needs.
He maintained that his government would continue to associate with progressive and development minded politicians in the state and beyond, irrespective of their political affiliation.