The Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) of the National Economic Council (NEC) and the Joint Planning Board (JPB) have concluded a successful three-day physical verification exercise of key projects and programs in Kogi State.
The IMC, composed of officials from the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, NEC, and JPB, was established to assess the implementation level of projects in alignment with NEC resolutions and the JPB/National Chart of Development Performance (NCDP) tracking. This initiative is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to continuous evaluation, accountability, and feedback-driven governance.
The team was warmly received by the Permanent Secretary of Budget, Mr. Olajide Samuel, on behalf of the Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Asiwaju Idris.
In his welcome address, Hon. Idris expressed gratitude for the team’s safe arrival and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting monitoring efforts. He emphasized Governor Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo’s administration’s dedication to delivering legacy infrastructure and people-oriented projects. He noted that despite being less than two years in office, the administration has made significant strides in development, with numerous projects spread across the state.
The visiting delegation was led by the Director General of the Benue State Budget Office, Prof.Jerome Andohol. He said the project monitoring exercise underscores the Federal Government’s resolve to foster transparency and ensure effective service delivery, which will enhance performance tracking for sustainable national development.
Also, the Kogi State team was led by Mallam Abubakar Tanimu Musa, Director of Planning (Macro), Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning.
The monitoring exercise commenced on May 22nd with a visit to the Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission, where the team was received by the Director of Legal and other senior officials. Prof. Andohol commended the state for being the first in North Central Nigeria and one of the first in the country to establish a State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
The team also paid a courtesy visit to Hon. Timothy Ojoma, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security. Prof. Andohol praised the Governor’s commitment to food security and acknowledged the Ministry’s critical role in national food supply efforts. In response, Hon. Ojoma highlighted the administration’s key agricultural achievements, including:
The factorization of over 7,300 hectares of rice farmland in Geregu,
Development of more than 2,000 hectares of cassava farmland across 270 cluster farms.
The team proceeded to inspect infrastructure and educational institutions, including Kogi State University, Kabba, and Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, with a focus on electrification projects executed by the Ministry of Energy and Rural Development.
The committee also reviewed the ongoing legacy road project, covering the stretch from GYB Junction to Zone-8 Junction and onward to Crusher Village, to assess progress and impact.
Day Two (May 23rd) featured visits to major agro-processing and healthcare sites. The team toured:
Geregu Rice Farm, and the Geregu Rice and Cassava Mills, equipped with modern machinery,
Primary Healthcare Centres located at Old Market and Anguwan Yashi Street in Lokoja,
The Old Market–Kpata Riverside Embankment Project, marking the final stop of the verification exercise.
Other members of the state team included:
Mrs. Mary Eseyin, Director, Nutrition, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security,
Mr. Abel Suleiman, Director, Food and Nutrition, Ministry of Education,
Mr. Fiki Ayo Olatunji, Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning.
Princess Funsho Sumanu
Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning.
