FIC REPORT (KOGI STATE) – The Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has announced plans to introduce a vehicle empowerment scheme through affordable soft loans for less-privileged members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state.
The initiative is aimed at improving the economic fortunes of transport workers by enabling them to acquire vehicles and expand their transport businesses without the financial burden associated with conventional hire-purchase arrangements.
Ododo made the commitment on Friday when he received members of the Kogi State chapter of the NURTW in Lokoja.
He explained that a relevant office in his administration would constitute a committee to explore various options for providing favourable soft loans to enable members to procure vehicles.
The governor observed that the hire-purchase system was not a suitable business model for transport workers, expressing his administration’s determination to explore a more favourable arrangement that would make vehicle ownership easier for members, particularly those with limited financial resources.
He said the initiative reflects his commitment to inclusive governance, workers’ welfare and economic empowerment at the grassroots.
Ododo commended the union for encouraging its members to engage in lawful means of livelihood and urged them to sustain their contributions to the security of the state by providing credible and timely information to relevant security agencies.
He noted that transport workers occupied a strategic position in the fight against insecurity because of their daily movements across communities and highways, which placed them in a position to observe suspicious activities and provide useful intelligence.
The governor also promised to provide the union with an official bus to facilitate its administrative and other official engagements.
While acknowledging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to road construction and maintenance in Kogi State, Ododo urged transport workers to support government efforts towards improving security and protecting lives and property.
He particularly cautioned them against carrying arms and ammunition, urging members to cooperate with security agencies and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
Earlier, the Kogi State NURTW Chairman, Alhaji Yahaya Ibrahim, described the union as an important stakeholder in the state’s development, given its daily interaction with communities and road users.
Alhaji Ibrahim described the union as more than an association of transport workers, saying it is a structured, disciplined and politically conscious organisation committed to the development of Kogi State.
He said transport workers were in a unique position to assess the impact of government policies on road safety, security and economic activities.
The chairman commended the Ododo administration’s efforts in addressing security challenges, noting that the measures had contributed to making highways safer for transport workers, passengers and traders.
He praised the government’s investments in road maintenance and infrastructure, saying improved road conditions had reduced transit time, enhanced safety and provided a stronger foundation for economic activities, he also appreciated the governor for his open-door policy and continued support for the union.
However, Ibrahim appealed to the state government to assist the union with the renovation and rehabilitation of its state secretariat, provision of an official bus and establishment of a vehicle empowerment scheme through soft loans for members.
He said addressing the requests would strengthen the union’s operations and demonstrate the administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare, grassroots development and economic empower
Maryam Abubakar Gulma CIPRO Federal Information Centre Lokoja
30th October 2026
