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Governor Yahaya Bello on Tuesday disclosed the reason why he was at the State House, highlighting the details of his closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking with State House correspondents after his meeting with the President, Bello said he went to thank the President on behalf of the people of his state for identifying Kogi as an oil-producing state.
Recall that the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation And Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) had recognized oil wells in Kogi and Anambra, and stated the states would also benefit from the 13 percent Derivation fund once the proceeds from the oil wells are contributed to the Federation Account.
Bello was elated that Kogi holds the title of the first Northern Nigerian state to be referred to as oil-producing state.
“We came to appreciate Mr President, for that magnanimity, and also to congratulate the people of Kogi state, and Nigerians, generally.
“We equally brought a request to the effects that the Ajaokuta steel company is still moribund. And his efforts in ensuring that he revives Ajaokuta steel complex. We submit a submission to the effect that he should in the life of his administration, be able to complete that Ajaokuta complex.
“Mr President received all of these and more with pleasure and he promised that something is going to be done to ensure that Ajaokuta is revived and running before the end of this administration.
“The fact that we are oil-producing today, I want to assure all the citizens of Kogi state and Nigerians that the mistake that we made in the past where Nigeria depends on oil alone, as a source of revenue today, will not be repeated.
“Whatever is going to be accruing to Kogi state will be used to support all other sectors, the Agric sector, manufacturing, and several other sectors of our economy to ensure that… it is going to serve as a catalyst.
“It’s not going to be just the only single means upon which we shall depend, no. We will not make that mistake,” he added.
