Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, has commissioned and handed over the newly renovated Old Ibaji Local Government Secretariat in Onyedega, Ibaji Local Government Area, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to grassroots development.
The commissioning was performed by the Deputy Governor, Joel Salifu, who represented the governor at the event. He described the project as a clear demonstration of the government’s resolve to bring governance closer to the people.
He praised the Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Comfort Ojoma Nwuchiola Egwaba, for facilitating the reconstruction of the secretariat, noting that her efforts reflect responsive and people-oriented leadership.
According to the governor, the rebuilt secretariat goes beyond being a physical structure, serving as a symbol of progress and effective governance. He added that the facility would enhance service delivery, improve working conditions for staff, and make government more accessible to residents of Ibaji.
Addressing concerns over poor road infrastructure in the area, Ododo assured residents that plans are underway to fix the roads. He disclosed that measurements for the project have been completed and construction would commence soon.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to addressing the challenges facing the people, urging residents to remain patient and supportive while also appealing to them to safeguard the facility.
Earlier, the Chairman of Ibaji Local Government Area, Emmanuel Onuche Ugeh, commended the Deputy Speaker for rebuilding the secretariat, describing the intervention as historic.
He noted that the project has revived administrative activities at the grassroots and appealed to the state government to prioritise road construction in the area to ease movement and boost economic activities.
In her remarks, Egwaba explained that the secretariat, originally built in 2000, was destroyed by fire, leaving the council without a functional administrative structure. She said the poor working conditions experienced by staff informed her decision to reconstruct and renovate the facility.
She expressed gratitude to the governor for supporting the initiative and pledged to continue delivering impactful projects that directly benefit her constituents.
As part of the visit, the Deputy Governor paid a traditional homage to the Ejeh of Ibaji, John Egwemi, seeking royal blessings ahead of the commissioning.
