* To focus on Ajaokuta, solid minerals exploitation
The candidate of the Action Democratic Party ADP in the November 11 governorship election in Kogi, Barrister Julius Elukpo PHD has assured of his determination to partner with the Business communities to drive his development agenda for the state.
This is just as he noted that his administration will buy back Ajaokuta steel company and also focus on the exploitation of abundant solid minerals to serve as a catalyst for the sustainable development of the state.
Barrister Elukpo made the disclosure yesterday when he received members of the Kogi state Chambers of Commerce Industry mines and Agriculture KOCCIMA in Lokoja.
The ADP standard bearer stated that with the abundant solid minerals embedded in the state and with right leadership, Kogi wouldnt have had relationship with poverty.
He added that with his private sector experience, he will make us of committees of experts to chart a new course for the state, lamenting that with God given human and natural resources, Kogi is still wallowing in poverty, due to ineptitude of successive administrations.
He promise to industrialise the state , create industrial parks, build Housing estates for members of Business community, professional bodies across the Senatorial Districts to attract direct foreign investment into the state
The elder statesman , said, his venturing into politics was as a result of the poor handling of the state which was contrary to the expectations of the founding fathers , stressing that he has the capacity and competencies to put Kogi on the global map of development.
According to him , apart from normal appointment of commissioner for commerce, he will appoint ambassador for private sector who will serve as a liaison between the government and the business community.
He pledge to revitalise Omi Dam in Kogi west , establish small scale industries that will process even beniseed which is abundant in the central, while agriculture will take the centre stage in Kogi East which is blessed with the best arable land in the country.
He promised to create functional council of past governors who will meet periodically to brainstorm on how to move the state forward, decried the practice where past governors were denied access to Government house and their contributions that would have helped the growth of the state.
While commending the Chamber for the show of solidarity with his aspiration, assured them of his unflinching support , saying the chamber was his brainchild.
In a remark, the president of Kogi state Chambers of Commerce Industry mines and Agriculture, Victor Abdullahi Ibrahim, appreciated him for the reception and pledged the readiness of the group to work for the success of his aspiration.
Victor who noted that the purpose of the visit was to extend their solidarity to him as he remained a great asset to the chamber.
On his part ,the Director General of the Chamber, Samuel Enejoh, urged him not to be distracted in the pursuit of his political career, assuring that the group would mobilise its members and supporters for him to triumph at the poll.
Meanwhile, the state chairman of ADP Okpanachi Bala, hinted that his candidate, Barr Elukpo remained the best among the candidates, as he was carefully and meticulously elected to restore and reset Kogi state.
He call on the good people of the state to queue behind Barr. Elukpo and avoid primordial consideration, saying his candidate, knows the state from birth and he stand the best chance to address challenges facing the state.