Kogi UDP Governorship Candidate Promises to Develop Tourism

As campaigns enter top gear ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Kogi State, the candidate of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Abdulrasaq Baba Emeje has pledged to promote tourism and generate revenue for the state.

Abdulrasaq told journalists in Ayingba, Dekina Local government Area of Kogi State, that in the face of dwindling federal allocation to various states, it is imperative to look inward to generate more income for development of the state.

He explained that Kogi State is richly endowed in both natural and human resources, adding the state has been described as sitting on a keg of tourism potentials, hence the need to develop the leisure and vacation industry.

Enumerating some of the tourist sites in the state, he said, “Lokoja, the state capital is a confluence city, the natural meeting point of great River Niger and River Benue. We have Mount Patti, which is over 1500 feet above sea level. Lokoja being the first capital of Nigeria is dotted with historical relics and some European cemetery and the grave of emirs deposed by British colonial government and banished to Lokoja.”

He added, “By the time we develop all these tourism sites, a lot of revenue will be generated to meet other financial commitments.”

The UDP candidate noted that if voted to power, payment of salary payment would not be a yardstick for performance, stressing that salary is a standard and must be paid when due.

“Performance should not be based on payment of salary. That is normal. It is absurd to say, ‘I am paying salary.’”

He vowed that within 200 days in office, his administration would have created 10,000 jobs for the teaming youths in the state.

He lamented that the incumbent governor of Kogi State was not getting it right, therefore, the state needs urgent help. “There is something fundamentally wrong with Kogi,” he insisted.