Kogi inaugurates UN-Habitat MDAs team

The Kogi state government has inaugurated a 12-member UN-Habitat Inter Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) team, for integrated approach to making the interventions functional in the state.

Inaugurating the team on Tuesday the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Folashade Ayoade-Arike, expressed satisfaction that the relevant MDAs that make up the UN-Habitat were duly represented.

She noted that UN-Habitat had been so dormant in the state in the recent time, stressing the urgent need to revive it and making it active.

She, therefore, urged members to work together to form a formidable team that would bring about the desired results in the shortest possible time.

“I am soliciting for your cooperation to put in your expertise, knowledge and experiences that will result into positive movement and development in the state.

“We want Kogi to become a real tourist centre, where structures are being built, renovated and rehabilitated, thereby turning Lokoja, Kabba, Okene and Dekina into modern cities. I want you to start to make positive impact now,” she said.

In her remarks, the state Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs. Rosemary Osikoya, said Kogi state government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Human Settlements (UN-HABITAT) in 2013 comprising five-item interventions.

She mentioned the interventions to include development of quality structures plan, effective sanitation and waste management system, climate change, legal framework among others.

“For UN-Habitat to be effective in Kogi, we need to set up a strong middle-level Inter MDAs Team, that would have an integrated approach to making it functional beyond paper agreement.

“As at the end of 2016, the four-city structure plan was ready, but the state was yet to formally receive them, and a request for extension of timeline was made; which was approved by the State Executive Council.

“So, we are here today for a very critical appointment to inaugurate inter MDAs team critical to the conclusion of this assignment, with sectoral approach to making it functional in line with Gov. Yahaya Bello’s road map.

“It is our expectation that after this inauguration, the team will work as one to fast track the accomplishments of all the goals that have been set before them,” Osikoya said.