The Open Dialogue Initiative, a governance advocacy organization, has taken a bold stance against alleged misappropriation of resources in Kogi State, targeting nine local government caretaker chairmen who served under former Governor Yahaya Bello. The organization is demanding that the chairmen hand over tractors donated by Senator Isah Jibrin Echocho to the nine local government areas in Kogi East.
Senator Isah Jibrin Echocho, in his first term in the National Assembly, had procured tractors intended to empower farmers in the region. Each of the nine local government areas received one tractor, with Ankpa and Dekina receiving two each.
However, the whereabouts of these tractors have become a matter of concern, prompting the Governance Monitor Group to intervene. Comrade Ben Abdul, the Kogi State Chapter coordinator of the group, expressed dismay over the disappearance of these crucial agricultural assets, emphasizing their potential to boost the farming sector in the region.
Abdul condemned the alleged diversion of public resources meant for the common good, stressing that those responsible must be held accountable. He affirmed the group’s commitment to pursuing legal action against the caretaker chairmen accused of misappropriating Senator Isah Jibrin’s intervention.
The call for transparency and accountability in governance echoes the sentiments of many residents in Kogi State, who rely heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods. As the investigation unfolds, pressure mounts on authorities to address the issue and ensure that public resources are used for their intended purpose, benefiting the entire community.