KAP Urges Ododo to Fulfil Campaign Promises, Hold Townhall Meetings
By Safiyat Muhammed
Lokoja, Kogi State – The Kogi Accountability Platform (KAP) has urged Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to uphold his campaign promises by convening senatorial townhall meetings across the state to directly engage with citizens and receive feedback on his administration.
This call was contained in a communiqué issued after a KAP meeting held on Friday in Lokoja. The coalition, comprising over 30 civil society organizations, professional bodies, and community-based groups, expressed concern that the Governor’s pledge to hold periodic townhall meetings has yet to be fulfilled, limiting opportunities for grassroots input in governance.
“The promise made should be duly kept,” the communiqué stated, and was signed by KAP Chairman, Hamza Aliyu.
KAP also advised Governor Ododo to balance his official travel engagements with a stronger presence within Kogi State, noting that his visibility and accessibility are critical to good governance.
The meeting assessed public perception of government performance across key sectors and offered strategic recommendations aimed at improving service delivery.
While commending the administration for reducing political tension and embracing citizen-focused policies, KAP noted significant gaps between budgetary allocations and actual service delivery. For instance, it observed that the proposed post-subsidy mass transport scheme has not been implemented, leaving commuters at the mercy of exploitative private operators.
The platform also highlighted the ongoing lack of access to clean drinking water for large parts of the population, who still depend on boreholes and streams despite the state’s abundant water resources.
On environmental issues, KAP raised alarm over the waste management crisis in Lokoja, pointing to inadequate infrastructure and poor disposal practices as major contributors to public health hazards and environmental degradation.
“The Kogi State Waste Management Agency must be restructured to implement effective waste disposal systems and establish strategic waste dump sites in Lokoja and other urban areas,” the coalition stated.
KAP further recommended the establishment of a medical waste disposal facility by the Ministry of Health to prevent disease outbreaks and emphasized the urgent need for a functional mass transit system, especially in Lokoja.
The communiqué also advocated increased funding for the Kogi State Ministry of Water Resources to address the widespread lack of potable water.
Supported by Stallion Times, the Kogi Accountability Platform reaffirmed its commitment to fostering transparency, strengthening public institutions, and promoting citizen engagement for improved governance in Kogi State.
