An All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Mohammed Audu has pledged to ‘turn around’ the economy of the state by generating over N4.5 billion monthly from internal sources.
The aspirant, who is the son of the former governor of the state, Late Prince Abubakar Audu, made the promise at a Media Parley organised for governorship aspirants by Kogi council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Lokoja Monday.
Audu said that with pragmatic leadership, supported by experience and exposure, he had the ability to harness abundant potentials in the state to generate between N4.5 billion and N6 billion monthly.
He said that Kogi was presently dependent on federation account, adding that his leadership would ensure a shift from the unhealthy tradition of waiting for the Federal allocation to pay salaries and execute projects.
Also, he promised that his administration would create over 10,000 employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youth, if given the mandate to govern the state, adding that the agriculture sector would be vigorously exploited.
The governorship aspirant however said he believed in transparency of the electoral process, and that he was not going to lean on the image and popularity of his late father.
“The processes of election do not give room for dynasty. We are trying to manage complete breakdown of the state; healthcare is in comatose, no quality drugs and qualified personnel, just as the education sector is in disarray,” he said.
The aspirant assured workers and pensioners that the issue of non-payment of salary and pensions would be adequately addressed by his administration, if elected.
On infrastructure, he pledged that his government would embark on road rehabilitation and reconstruction of new ones across the three senatorial districts of the state.
He said women would constitute substantial part of appointees in his regime, adding that local industries would be established while funding would be provided through local micro-finance outposts as part of empowerment.
In the area of security, he promised to mop-up all illegal arms in the hands of youth and unauthorised persons by giving them jobs and cash in exchange.
