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Tag: Jos

  • PDP member tells electorate to obtain Permanent Voter’s Card

    A Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) chieftain in Plateau, Mr Gwaman Datong, has urged the electorate to take part in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR ) to empower them for voting in the 2019 general elections.

    In a statement issued in Abuja by him on Friday, he said taking part in the exercise was the only way the electorate could have their choice of leaders.

    “I have been going round and meeting people telling them to make sure that they get registered and obtain their Permanent Voter’s Card ( PVC ).

    “This is because we can’t make the change we desired without getting the PVC,’’ Dalong, who is seeking PDP’s nomination to contest the state governorship election in 2019.

    He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) to engage in more aggressive campaign towards sensitising the electorate to CVR.

    “We need strong running system that will give constant information, especially those at the grassroots on the exercise,’’ Datong said.

    Stating his plan for the state if he became the governor of Plateau, Datong said his vision was to lay a solid foundation for the development of the state.

    “We will start by encouraging science education right from primary school because am looking at building for the future.

    “We are going to encourage going to the sciences because in the nearest future, we will have people to build the future for Plateau.

    Read Also: Southwest PDP tackles APC

    “Am not looking at the agricultural sector in terms of produce alone but how do we process the produce a little to add value.

    “I visited an incubation centre in Jos and I was shown carrot oil, I was surprised, because this is what we can harness as we have lots of carrots in the state.

    “So if we can work towards processing our carrots to a certain level, we will make lots of money from both internal and export market.

    “We also have lots of yam in the state, people come and buy them remove the water and send them back to us as yam powder; we can start processing them locally to make extra money,’’ Datong said.

    “Similarly, emphasis should be on women development programmes because women constitute more than 50 per cent of the population in the state,’’ Datong said.

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  • Plateau generated N3.09bn IGR in Q1

    The Plateau Government on Tuesday declared N3.09 billion Internally Generated Revenue ( IGR ) in the first quarter of 2018.

    Mr Dashe Arlat, the Chairman, Plateau State Internal Revenue Service ( PSIRS ), made this known in an interview with the newsmen in Jos.

    Arlat said that revenue collected during the period was the highest ever in the history of the service.

    “Looking back at what ( N2.5 billion ) we generated during the same period under review in 2017, we have an increase of about N600 million this year, ’’ he said.

    Arlat described the collection as very huge and encouraging and attributed the development to the renewed vigour of Ministries Departments and Agencies ( MDAs ) and staff of PSIRS in the New Year.

    According to him, the MDAs and PSRIS have been holding series of workshops and stakeholders meetings toward better and workable means of improving the revenue collection of the state.

    He said that the feat was achieved due to tremendous improvements in collection of the Pay As You Earn ( PAYE ) and levies and charges by the MDAs and the PSIRS.

    The chairman gave the monthly analysis showing January as having the highest collection of N1.27 billion, February N828.65 million and March N997.22 million.

    “At the beginning of the year, we set a target of nothing less than a N1 billion as our monthly Internally Generated Revenue ( IGR ) toward strengthening and improving government’s provision of basic social amenities to the citizens of the state.

    “As it is now, with what we have so far generated, we have gotten there and we hope to improve on it as we move on in the year,’’ Arlat said.

    He said that the staff of the ministry of tourism had been going out to ensure that all hotels, events centres, drinking spots and viewing centres, among others, were duly captured and registered for payment of taxes and levies.

    Read Also: 2,945 Corp members sworn in Plateau

    Arlat said that all other MDAs would soon follow suit, especially the ministry of lands and physical planning.

    He said that the ministry was expected to start collection of ground rents, having almost concluded the numbering of houses within the Jos-Bukuru metropolis.

    The PSIRS boss commended members of staff for their dedication to duty and for working under some difficult conditions.

    He said that the response from the tax payers in the state had been very encouraging and appealed to them to continue with that display of patriotism.

    Arlat said that once tax payers fulfilled their civic responsibilities to the government, the government would equally reciprocate by providing the needed social amenities to the citizens as dividends of democracy.

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  • Gunmen kill four construction workers in Plateau

    Gunmen on Wednesday killed four construction workers at Angwan-Rogo village in Jebu-Miango area of Bassa, Plateau State.

    According to reports the workers were fetching sand for an ongoing construction work when the gunmen attacked them.

    Confirming the attack, Mr Terna Tyopev, spokesman of the Police Command in Plateau, told our reporter that the attack took place “around 11 a.m.”

    “Yes, we received information of an attack on Angwan Rogo village; we can confirm that four persons were killed by the gunmen.

    “We can also confirm that the men were labourers excavating sand for their construction work when they were attacked,” he said.

    Tyopev, who claimed that the attackers were herdsmen, identified the deceased as Adam Sunday, 38, Jatau Akus, 39, Chonu Awarhai, 39, and Marcus Mali, 22.

    He said that the command had mobilised more personnel to beef up security in the affected area, adding that the corpses had been deposited at the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos.

    The Police officer said that investigation had commenced into the incident, and vowed to arrest those responsible.

    He advised Plateau residents to report any suspicious movement to the security agencies.

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    Read Also: Gunmen abduct expatriate, kill policeman in Kano

  • NGO sensitises Plateau youths against drug abuse, violence

    An NGO, Search for Common Ground ( SFCG ), on Thursday, organised a one-day sensitisation programme on the dangers of drug abuse and violence for Plateau youths in Jos.

    The event, in collaboration with International Herekrishna Consciousness ( ISKCON ), had participants from the 17 electoral wards in Jos North Local Government Area of the state.

    It was a brainchild of “Collaborative for Violence Prevention in Nigeria”, a project of SFCG.

    Mr Baladev Dasa, an Indian scholar, said youths were endowed with so much energy but lacked how to put it to proper use.

    He expressed regret that many youths indulge in drug abuse, violence and other vices simply because they don’t have total control of their inner minds.

    He added that “I think the youth have good energy, but the problem is that they don’t channel it into good use. They are not in control of their energies and inner selves.

    “So, the youth need to be guided to use their energies and talents to help people in the society not to cause troubles and other problems.

    “They are to be schooled on the effects and dangers of drug abuse because when they don’t do drugs, they won’t allow themselves to be used to cause violence in the society.”

    Dasa urged Plateau youths to put God first in their dealings, saying by doing so, God would guide them through the path of righteousness.

    Read Also: CAF Confederation Cup: Plateau United blames defenders for loss

    Mr Jacob Pwakim, consultant of the project, also urged youths to shun violence in their undertakings.

    He explained that Collaborative for Violence Prevention was an initiative to discourage youths from involving in anti-social activities.

    He said stakeholders from different sectors – government, civil society, business, and communities should come together and brainstorm on ways to prevent violence and conflicts in the society.

    According to him, the initiative is to promote funding of interventions through local sourcing of resources both in cash and kind.

    He added that “for us in SFCG, hosting this event by ISkCON is a success for the project because it was funded locally.

    “We encourage other stakeholders and community members to organise events like this too or support organisations for win result.”

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  • Jos: Rotary Club donates 50 birth kids to pregnant women

    The Rotary Club of Naraguta Jos, District 9125, on Wednesday donated 50 sets of birth kits to pregnant women in Jos South Local Government Area ( LGA ) of Plateau.

    The newsmen reports that the items were presented to the women at the Comprehensive Health Centre, Dadin Kowa in the council area.

    The President of the Club, Ms Theresa Eyetan, said the gesture was part of its activities to mark the Rotary Club Maternal and Child Health Month.

    Eyetan said the club is a humanitarian organisation committed to reducing the hardships being faced by pregnant women during child-birth.

    She advised the beneficiaries to always attend their ante- natal care clinics for routine checks.
    She said that the child-and-maternal mortality could only be prevented through proper care, medical check and good hygiene for pregnant women.

    “Today, we are donating three bags of detergents to the health centre to help them keep the environment clean, a criterion required for good health.

    Read Also: Dike Chukwumerije’s ‘Made in Nigeria’ heads to Jos

    “Each of the birth-kits we are donating today contains 10 pieces of mucus extractors, maternity pad, bed mat, bathing soaps and antiseptic among others.

    “The target is to help indigent women who cannot afford these items because of the economic hardship in the country.
    “We want all the pregnant women to deliver safely,’’ Eyetan said.

    The Deputy Matron of the centre, Mrs Magdalene Dimlong, in her remarks commended the club for the gesture.

    Also, Mrs Fiona Silas, a beneficiary said they would spend the money added to the kits to buy other items necessary to enhance safe delivery.

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  • Plateau United commiserates with Kano Pillars over Scribe’s death

    Plateau United on Wednesday commiserated with Kano Pillars over the death of the club’s Secretary, Zakari Akilu. A statement issued in Jos by Media Officer of the team, Albert Dakup described Akilu’s death as a big loss to Pillars in view of his hard work and dedication to duty.

    “Kano Pillars will miss his experience and commitment to duty at a time the team is trying to make mark in the Nigeria Professional Football League this season.

    “Plateau United want to use this medium to condole the family over this irreparable loss and urged them to look unto God as their source of comfort.

    Read Also: CAF Confederation Cup: Plateau United blames defenders for loss

    “We want to sympathize with the entire Kano State football fraternity over the loss and pray God to grant his soul eternal rest and give the family the fortitude to bear the loss,” it said.

    The statement recalled the deceased’s contribution towards the success of hosting the match between United and Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia in Kano where he ensured a smooth organisation of the encounter.

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  • Court jails applicant for smoking Indian hemp in the market

    An Upper Area Court 3 in Kasuwan Nama, Jos, on Wednesday, sentenced a 20-year-old applicant, Sherif Umar to one year imprisonment for smoking Indian hemp in the market.

    The judge, Yahaya Mohammed, however, gave the accused an option of N5, 000 fine.

    Mohammed said the judgment would act as a deterrent to other youths who would want to engage in such negative vice and cause public nuisance.

    The accused pleaded guilty on arraignment to the one-count charge of smoking Indian hemp and causing public nuisance.

    Read Also: Court affirms Adetimehin as Ondo APC chair

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp Ibrahim Gukwat, told the court that the case was reported at the Farin Gada Police Station by Chairman of Cabbage Market, Farin Gada, on April 12.

    Gukwat said on the arrival of the Police at the scene, the accused was arrested with a substance suspected to be Indian hemp and hard drug.

    Gukwat said the offence was contrary to Section 183 of the Penal Code.

    NAN

  • NSCDC arrests 44 suspected criminals in Plateau

    The Nigerian Secur‎ity and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ), Plateau Command, said on Tuesday that it had arrested 44 suspects for various crimes in the first quarter of 2018.

    Mrs Naomi Chishak, the command’s ‎Public Relations Officer ( PRO ), made this disclosure to the News men in Jos.

    She stated that the suspects were arrested for offences; ranging from solid mineral theft,  ‎petroleum products diversion, illegal possession of weapons and armed robbery.

    Chishak said that between January and February, the command recovered about 3,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit ( PMS ) known as petrol from various black marketers within Jos -Bukuru metropolis.

    Read Also: NSCDC urges unlicensed security guards companies to stop operating

    According to her, the suspect’s ‎are currently facing trials and those who are found guilty will be convicted.

    She also lamented the rise in the theft of solid minerals and illegal mining, adding that such activities were not only criminal but detrimental to the environment.

    Chishak cautioned those who engaged in the ugly acts, which she described as ‘national sabotage’ to desist from them.

    She assured that the command would continue to ensure that those caught in the act would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

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  • Plateau tackles revenue theft, leakages to boost IGR

    Mr Arlat Dashe, Chairman, Plateau State Internal Revenue Service ( PSIRS ), said the state government was determined to boost its Internal Generated Revenue ( IGR ) by tackling revenue theft and leakages.

    Dashe disclosed this on Thursday in Jos, at the opening of a one-day workshop on tax matters organised for revenue generating Ministries, Departments and Agencies ( MDAs ) in the state.

    The theme of the workshop is: “Collaboration, synergy and compliance parameters: optimising internally generated revenue collection in Plateau for effective service delivery and development.”

    He said the Joint Revenue Committee set up by Mr Solomon Lalong, Plateau governor, observed poor and non-performance of revenue collection by some MDA’s, revenue leakages, abuse, misuse, fraudulent conversion and theft of government revenue.

    Dashe lamented the dismal performance of the MDAs in 2017 and urged them to take steps to harness, optimise and secure a leakage-free performance of their revenue targets under the 2018 budget.

    Dashe said the workshop was aimed at increasing the awareness of participants on the legal frame work and policy reforms in the area of tax administration in the state.

    Read Also: Sen. Useni declares interest in Plateau governorship race

    He said it was also meant to fully engage members of the State Executive Council and heads of MDAs on the needed collaboration to foster the needed synergy for prompt remittance of IGR.

    Lalong, who declared the workshop open, said it was timely and necessary to improve the IGR for the purpose of accelerating the much needed development of the state.

    Lalong, was represented by his deputy, Prof. Sonni Tyoden, at the workshop.

    Tyoden said the workshop would boost the state’s IGR as the successful execution of developmental projects could not be performed by mere wishes but through mobilisation of revenue for effective service delivery.

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  • Sen. Useni declares interest in Plateau governorship race

    Sen. Jerry Useni on Wednesday declared his intention to vie for the Plateau governorship seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ).

    Useni, who made the declaration at the party’s state secretariat in Jos, said that his principal focus was to restore peace on the Plateau.

    “I want to restore peace and justice to Plateau. I want to restore unity, love, dignity and prosperity to Plateau. I also want to restore the vision of its founding fathers.

    “Plateau belongs to us and our task is to make it a great place; that is what I want to do,” he said.

    The senator cautioned his supporters against any form of violence in the course of the campaign, urging them to focus on the issues that were beneficial to the Plateau people.

    In his remarks, the state chairman of the party, Mr Damishi Sango, appealed to PDP members seeking elective positions to remain faithful to its ideals after victory.

    He also cautioned elected members against defecting to other folds, saying that such defection was working against the development of strong principles in the growth of Nigeria’s democracy.

    Sango advised aspirants against attacking one another, saying that the internal contest for the party’s ticket should be seen and treated as a family affair.

    He advised PDP members not to be discouraged by the “hard stance” of the government in power against the opposition, and urged them to be committed to the goal of giving the Plateau people the change they were yearning for.

    The chairman promised to ensure a level playing ground for all aspirants, saying that the party’s primary elections would be transparent, fair and credible.

    Sango apologised to Nigerians for PDP’s mistakes that cost the party the 2015 election, and promised that the nation would witness massive development if PDP was given another chance in 2019 since it had learnt its lessons.

    Pof. Dimis Mailafia, Director-General, J.T. Useni Campaign Organisation, said that Plateau needed a competent hand to lead it to the promised land, and declared that Useni was the best material to lead Plateau “in these trying times”.

    “Useni has a lot of experience; he is an army general, former FCT minister, former military governor and now a senator representing Plateau South,” he said.

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