Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, has provided insight into the recent appointment of 717 Ward Special Assistants by Governor Usman Ododo.
According to Fanwo, these appointments are part of the Governor’s strategy to deepen democracy and ensure that governance is participatory, particularly at the grassroots level.
During a press briefing in Lokoja, Fanwo emphasized that Governor Ododo is committed to empowering the people by selecting Special Assistants who are deeply connected with the rural communities they serve.
“The Governor is determined to ensure grassroots participation in governance. He doesn’t want to be detached from the hopes and aspirations of the grassroots. We have learnt from past experiences and we should be able to put those lessons to use,” Fanwo stated.
Reflecting on past administrations, Fanwo pointed out that many previously appointed Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants were often disconnected from grassroots realities, as they resided primarily in the state capital.
He said, “In the past, many of the Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants that were appointed live in the state capital and did not relate with the grassroots people. There was a gap between the pulse at the grassroots and the impression of the Government. But with this novel appointment strategy, the people at the grassroots are already jubilating over the commendable inclusive governance.
“Those appointed are those who sleep and wake up in those Wards. They don’t live outside of their Wards and they will be the foot soldiers of the Government in achieving the Consolidation Agenda of the Ododo Administration.”
Addressing concerns about the potential increase in governance costs due to the high number of appointees, Fanwo clarified that the salaries of three Ward Special Assistants are equivalent to what a single Senior Special Assistant would earn.
“What the Governor did was to share one SSA salary to three WSA, meaning that the cost of governance is not increased as a result of the high number of WSA.
“Now we have at least three State Government Officials in each of the 239 Wards with significantly reduced salaries and allowances. This is smart governance. The Governor has been silently reducing the cost of governance as a shrewd manager of resources,” Fanwo said.
Fanwo also urged the people of Kogi State to use the opportunity presented by these appointments to provide feedback and oversee government projects, programs, and policies effectively.
He noted that the Ododo Administration is building upon the grassroots empowerment initiatives inherited from the previous administration.
“The Ododo Administration is building on the inherited legacies of the past administration as it relates to grassroots empowerment. Many projects are currently ongoing in many rural communities and more will benefit from the second phase.
“What our Government is preaching is that if we want to prosper in agriculture, we must make our people enjoy staying in the rural areas where there is more access to the basic social amenities,” Fanwo concluded.
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