Governor Ibrahim Idris of Kogi State has challenged industrialists who are Kogi indigenes in diaspora to come and assist the government to develop the state.

  The governor who was represented by his chief of staff, Dr. Bala Haruna at the commissioning of the ultra-modern plaza built by an industrialist, Mr. Isreal Elukpo in Lokoja, the state capital last week reiterated his administration determination to create enabling environment for those who are interested in investing in the state via adequate security and infrastructural facilities.

  He said the state was ready to welcome any private partnership investment that would lead to full industrialization of the state.

  While commending the effort of the proprietor of the plaza, the governor stated that the ancient town of Lokoja has been known through history as a commercial town noting that efforts were being made by the Federal Government to dredge the River Niger and to build an inland port in Lokoja.

  The governor stated further that the ongoing international market "is near completion, if fully completed and commissioned, Lokoja will become the nerve centre of commercial activities in the North Central."

  Earlier, the proprietor of the shopping plaza, Mr. Israel Elukpo said the idea for the plaza was conceived based on his desire to assist the state government in the area of job creation saying, over ninety men and women have been gainfully employed in the complex by companies occupying it..