By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
Government House, Lokoja
October 27, 2026
Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, on Tuesday at the Government House in Lokoja unveiled project inspection kits produced by the State Ministry of Works, charging engineers, supervisors and other technical personnel to uphold professionalism, accountability, teamwork and safety in the execution and monitoring of public infrastructure projects.
Governor Ododo, who described the Ministry of Works as central to the development of the state, said the ministry occupies a strategic position in translating government policies and development plans into tangible projects that directly affect the lives of the people.
According to him, the success of any administration is closely connected to the performance of its works and infrastructure sector, stressing that engineers and other civil servants have critical roles to play in ensuring that public investments deliver the desired benefits.
The governor expressed appreciation to the state’s engineers, accountants, technicians, supervisors and other civil servants for their contributions to the ongoing development of Kogi State, noting that his closer engagement with the workforce since assuming office had strengthened his confidence in their capacity to address the state’s development challenges.
He observed that many civil servants possess the knowledge and professional competence required to deliver results but need the right working environment, encouragement and institutional support to perform optimally.
“When you work for the people, you are indirectly working for yourself. When you project your commitment, you are also projecting yourself,” the governor said, urging public officers to recognise that their contributions to the state’s development would remain part of its history.
He also called for stronger collaboration between political officeholders and professional civil servants, urging engineers to offer technical advice whenever they identify better approaches to project execution.
He stressed that constructive engagement, mutual respect and adherence to due process were essential to preventing avoidable mistakes that could affect the quality, durability and value of infrastructure delivered to the people.
The governor described the initiative as timely, noting that the state was working to strengthen its development foundation and improve the delivery of public services. He expressed confidence that the quality of its workforce, combined with better collaboration and effective supervision, would help the state make further progress.
Speaking in his capacity as the Chief Security Officer of the state, he formally unveiled the reflective jackets for the protection of engineers and other personnel who routinely visit project sites.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works, Hon. Barr. Salami Momodu Ozigi Deedat, described the ministry as the hub of the state’s infrastructure development, noting that the delivery of roads and other public infrastructure depends significantly on the effectiveness of the ministry.
He said the ministry had continued to pursue the completion of inherited projects alongside ongoing infrastructure interventions, with particular attention to road development and other works intended to improve connectivity and public services across the state.
The commissioner explained that the introduction of dedicated project inspection kits was informed by the need to establish a clear professional identity for government engineers and inspection teams during site visits.
He noted that inspection personnel had often relied on arrangements provided by contractors during project monitoring, adding that the new kits would help distinguish government officials from contractors and make their official responsibilities more recognisable at construction sites.
Hon. Ozigi Deedat encouraged engineers and other relevant personnel to make proper use of the kits and maintain regular engagement with the ministry’s leadership to strengthen project monitoring and supervision.
He also acknowledged the governor’s interest in the ministry’s activities, observing that regular attention to project implementation places responsibility on officials to remain committed to their duties and maintain the required standards.
