By joshua GANAJA ADVOCACY GROUP SEEKS COMMISSIONER’S BACKING FOR CHARTER OF DEMANDS, ABANIKA PLEDGES SUPPORT
The Ganaja Village Advocacy Working Group on Tuesday paid an advocacy visit to the Kogi State Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Hon. Taiye Abanika, seeking his leadership in championing the Ganaja Charter of Demands aimed at addressing critical needs in the flood-prone community.
The delegation, led by Eunice Agbogun, Executive Director of Challenge Parenthood Initiative [CPI], said CPI is working in partnership with Heinrich Boll Stiftung and Arctic Infrastructure to mobilize the community around five thematic areas: Health, Water, Road, Housing and Support for Internally Displaced Persons.
Ms. Agbogun described the Charter as a people-driven document outlining the priority needs of Ganaja. She listed the key demands to include provision of potable water, establishment of a secondary healthcare centre, and construction of an alternative route to ease access during flooding.
She commended the State government for the ongoing resuscitation of the Greater Lokoja Water Works and for building a healthcare centre along Wada Road. However, she lamented the continued use of Ganaja Primary School as an IDP camp during floods, and called on government through the Ministry of Lands and Housing to provide a more dignified alternative.
According to her, N-HYPPADEC is already working on sinking boreholes in the area, while the Advocacy Working Group is also engaging stakeholders on mapping an alternative route through Nyamanyama, with Hon. Mohammed Haruna Ganaja as Chairman of the working leading that effort.
“Ganaja is a fast-growing community and a bride that deserves to wear a new face in the metropolis,” Ms. Agbogun said.
“We are working to ensure that the desires and demands of the community get the priority attention they deserve.”
In his response, Hon. Taiye Abanika praised the Ganaja Village Advocacy Working Group for its proactive approach, describing the initiative as unprecedented.
He said the administration of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo is grassroots-driven and passionate about the plight of the people. According to him, a needs assessment has already been conducted across communities, and Ganaja will not be neglected.
“The present administration is working to ensure that the people of Ganaja Village do not continue to suffer whenever there is flooding,” the Commissioner stated. “We are ready to partner with this Working Group to ensure that all your desires for the community are realized.”
Hon. Abanika disclosed that he has already facilitated the sinking of boreholes in two Ajaokuta districts and pledged to also sink one for the Ganaja community. He added that the state government is planning a flood housing estate, road projects, and improved healthcare infrastructure for the area.
“I will personally lead the advocacy and push for your demands; roads, a secondary healthcare centre, water and housing, to see the light of the day,” he assured.
“Ganaja deserves to take its pride of place, and effort will be intensified to make that happen.”
The Commissioner urged other communities to emulate Ganaja by organizing themselves and bringing their needs to government attention.
The visit ended with both parties agreeing to deepen collaboration to ensure that Ganaja gets lasting solutions to flooding, water scarcity, poor access roads and inadequate health facilities.