I CAN'T AFFORD TO FAIL- BELLO

The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on Monday, said he could not afford to fail the people of the state as he was determined to reposition the state and make it a first destination for development through investments.

The Governor also said he would not be distracted from achieving his laudable goals by agents that are opposed to change and wanted the status quo to remain.

According to him, his administration would herald a new beginning of the true value of governance, promising to "refocus the state to meet the needs of her people through quality education, healthcare delivery, agricultural revolution and a Marshall plan to make Kogi State the industrial hub of West Africa".

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor,  Kingsley Fanwo, said the bilateral dialogues with local and foreign agencies would start yielding fruits, pleading with the people of the state to support his administration to bring the desired change that will make Kogi the pride of all.

"To achieve development, we know we have to achieve ethnic, industrial and political harmony. Civil servants must receive their salaries to curb incessant strike actions and the attendant security challenges associated with such. My government has moved to ensure that ghost workers are removed from our payrolls to pave way for genuine workers to earn their salaries regularly.

"We have also moved to stop the deductions from Local Government allocations that have made it impossible for them to pay their staff. The directive requiring all Permanent Secretaries to proceed on leave was to pave way for a transparent staff audit of ministries, agencies and parastatals. I am prepared to fulfill my pact with the people to remain a fair Governor who is interested in developing the state and its people".

Bello also expressed his determination to end corruption in the civil service to ensure probity, accountability and productive, saying for the state to move forward, the people of the state must begin to see corruption as a common enemy.

The governor also pledged to work harmoniously with the State House of Assembly, saying members of the Assembly are honourable people who have genuine interest in moving the state forward.