Dino Melaye, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the upcoming governorship election in Kogi, has expressed his commitment to ushering in a new era of development and change for the state.
Mr. Melaye made this promise upon receiving the report of the party’s Policy Drafting Committee for the Kogi Governorship election in Abuja on Friday.
His agenda includes reforming the state civil service, improving infrastructure, and establishing an Independent Kogi Economic Development Commission.
Furthermore, Mr. Melaye has pledged to prioritize the prompt payment of workers’ salaries, create four new districts, and increase the state’s Internally Generated Revenue without burdening the poor with additional taxes.
He expressed concern over the growing disparity between the rich and the poor in Kogi State, vowing to address this issue through comprehensive reforms.
According to Mr. Melaye, the diversion of funds meant for the poor by the current state government is unacceptable, and he is committed to granting financial autonomy to local governments.
He lamented the fact that local governments in Kogi State are no longer able to carry out infrastructure projects and maintain essential services, promising to restore their functionality.
Mr. Melaye also highlighted the untapped potential of Kogi’s abundant mineral resources, stating his intent to harness and commercialize them to improve the state’s economic standing.
He emphasized the importance of utilizing federal allocations for civil salaries, pensions, and developmental projects, while internally generated revenue would be used for other necessary expenses.
Finally, Mr. Melaye commended the Policy Drafting Committee for their diligent work, describing the document as comprehensive and solution-oriented.
Chairman of the Committee, Sam Amadi, stated that the document contains recommendations that, if implemented, would transform Kogi State across various sectors.