The Kogi State government, on Monday, denied the reports that it had sacked the political appointees working with the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
The director-general, media and publicity to the governor, Kingsley Fanwo, said the people did not commit any crime that would have warranted their being sacked from their various offices.
He said the political appointees were only relieved of their appointments in preparation for the take-off of the new administration by January 27, 2020.
According to him, referring to the action of the governor as sacking the appointees would be too harsh as the affected people had diligently served the state in their various capacities.
Fanwo said, “the Governor did not sack the appointees. Sack is a harsh word, especially as the relieved officeholders did not commit any crime. The Governor only relieved them of their offices as a part of the transition process. The next administration will kick off in January 27, 2020, and there is need to ‘clear the table’ before that administration kicks off.
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“The Governor is eternally grateful for the selfless and innovative services rendered by the outgoing officeholders. They will always be in his thoughts.
“It has been an eventful tenure and the Governor is conscious of the need to maintain the momentum and do more in line with his electioneering campaign promises to the people of the state.”
Speaking on the impact of government in the kast four years, the media aide said Bello focused on the major needs of the people which were woven into a solid bond for delivery.
He said, “our education suffered in the previous administrations without plans. Governor Yahaya Bello has envisioned an educational policy that will help transform the state. Today, we are doing very well in that sector.
“Agriculture is another area that serves as the mainstay of the state’s economy which the past administrations had neglected. Governor Bello has made the sector competitive and productive. More youth and women are now engaged and we have the second-largest Rice Mill in Northern Nigeria built by the administration in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area.
“Before the Governor came on board in 2016, we had a horrible maternal mortality index. Governor Bello has said mothers do not have to die giving birth to lives. Today, the narrative has changed with our Healthcare Plus and other health intervention programs. The administration has also upgraded our health institutions and facilities as well as drastically revamped and renovated structures at our healthcare training institutions.”
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