By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed that the state’s 32-Year Development Plan remains the central guide for his administration’s policies and governance. The governor made the statement on Thursday at a three-day training programme on development and infrastructure planning held at the Government House in Lokoja. Speaking through the Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Asiwaju Idris, Ododo said the long-term development plan provides stability, continuity, and strategic direction for Kogi’s economic and social progress. He noted that the administration has, in less than two years, shifted from “rhetoric to results.”On revamping the state’s economy, the governor said Kogi will no longer operate as a “civil-service dormitory.” He announced that the Confluence Rice Mill had been revived through a private-sector partnership, bringing Kogi rice back to the market and creating direct employment for youths.
Ododo added that more than 7,000 farmers were supported with free inputs worth over ₦7 billion during the last wet season. He also disclosed that 140 abandoned tractors were refurbished at a fraction of the cost of new machines to boost agricultural productivity.According to the governor, the Kogi Enterprise Development Agency (KEDA) has disbursed about ₦6 billion in grants and soft loans to over 15,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises across the state’s 21 local government areas.He further highlighted ongoing work on the new ultra-modern market located along the Zone 8–Crusher Road. The market, sitting on 25 hectares of land, is expected to stimulate commercial activities, expand the local economy, and open up the surrounding area.
Ododo also revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the development of the Kogi International Airport at Zariagi. The airport design, he said, has been completed and the tendering process will begin soon. The project aims to improve connectivity, expand trade, and attract investment into the state.In addition, the governor announced that the proposed Kogi Free Trade Zone, to be located on 3,000 hectares within the Ajaokuta economic corridor, will soon be formally unveiled following presidential approval. Once operational, the zone is expected to drive industrialization, processing, export activity, and value-added manufacturing.Ododo reiterated the state’s commitment to the Alape Processing Zone under the national Special Agricultural Processing Zone (SAPZ) initiative, supported by federal agencies and partners including the African Development Bank (AfDB). He said these measures are designed to shift Kogi from a consumption-based economy to one driven by agro-industrial production.
He further noted the state’s interest in leveraging the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Natural Gas Pipeline to boost industrial growth, job creation, and electricity supply across Kogi.Highlighting infrastructure achievements, the governor said more than 500 kilometres of roads have been completed or rehabilitated within the last 24 months. These include the Ogaminana–Obangede–Okaito Road, the 19.55 km Obajana–Uro–Aku RAAMP Road, the 16 km Oguma–Sheria Road, and several rural access routes in Ankpa, Idah, Egbe, Mopa, and Yagba.He added that thousands of solar streetlights have been installed in Lokoja, Okene, Anyigba, and Kabba, improving safety and nighttime economic activity. More than 100 rural communities have also been connected to electricity, while the first phase of distributing 30 units of 500kVA transformers has commenced across the state’s three senatorial districts.Ododo said these achievements reflect deliberate efforts to build a self-sustaining and productive economy anchored on the vision of the 32-Year Development Plan.
