The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Plateau government

  • Lalong to rebuild multi-billion Jos Main Market

    The Plateau Government says it is set to start rebuilding the multi-billion Jos Main Market burnt in 2004

    The state government had earlier engaged experts to conduct an integrity test of what was left of the burnt market and advise it appropriately.

    Mr Yakubu Dati, Commissioner for Information and Communication told newsmen on Wednesday in Jos after the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Gov Simon Lalong.

    He said that traders selling within the market had been notified to vacate the area as work was billed to commence soon.

    “Notices have already been given to traders selling within the vicinity of the market to immediately leave the area.

    “Council appeals to traders occupying Jos Main Market to abide by the plan being put in place by he Ministry of Commerce and Industry to ensure the rebuilding of the market.

    “The process involves demolition of parts of the existing structure and this can only be done when traders give way and create way for the demolition to take place for safety concern.

    “We appealing to traders and stakeholders to cooperate with relevant authorities to ensuring that the dream of rebuilding the market is achieved,” he said.

    The commissioner stated that the appeal for the traders to leave the confines of the market was to ensure safety of lives and properties when the demolition begins,

    According to him, government will enforce compliance if the people failed to willingly heed the appeal.

    Dati further said that the council also congratulated the governor and his deputy, Prof Sonni Tyoden on their re-election.

    “Council also congratulated the people of Plateau for conducting themselves peacefully during the elections”, he added. (NAN)

  • Ban on public procession still in force- Plateau govt

    The Plateau Government says the ban on public processions in the state is still in force.

    Mr. Yakubu Dati, Commissioner for Information and Communication, on Monday reminded the citizens of the ban, and warned against flouting it.

    Read Also:4 houses, LG chamber razed down over LG election results in Plateau

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that protests have continued in some parts of the state as fallout of the local government elections held on October 10.

    “Government wishes to remind citizens that the ban on public procession in all parts of the state is still in force.

    “Consequently, no persons should engage in any form of protest until further notice.

    “By this notice members of the public are therefore advised to adhere strictly to the ban.

    “This is to prevent miscreants and unpatriotic elements from hijacking any protest to further inflict pain and hardship on innocent citizens’’, he said.

    Dati stated that an election petitions tribunal and an appeal committee for the local government elections had been set up by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Yakubu Dakwak.

    He said that the tribunal and the appeal committee were to deal with any petition that might arise from the recently concluded peaceful polls in the 13 local government areas of the state.

    The commissioner advised all aggrieved candidates to approach the tribunal rather than seeking self-help through protest.

    He however expressed the government’s appreciation of the democratic right of citizens to protest but said the administration also had a duty to protect lives and property.

    Dati solicited the cooperation and support of citizens to ensure that politicians do not use them to destabilize the state for their selfish ends.

  • Buhari’s visit: Plateau declares Thursday public holiday

    Buhari’s visit: Plateau declares Thursday public holiday

    The Plateau government has declared Thursday, March 8, a work-free day to enable residents welcome President Muhammadu Buhari on a one-day working visit to the state.

    Mr Izam Azi, Head of Service, announced this on Tuesday in Jos, after an emergency State Executive Council meeting.

    “The holiday will afford civil servants and other citizens the opportunity to give the President a rousing welcome,” Azi said.

    Meanwhile, Mr Yakubu Dati, Commissioner for Information and Communication, has said that there would be restriction of movement during the visit, especially around areas the President would inaugurate projects.

    Dati said that government had created alternative routes in affected areas, adding that security agencies would guide movements during the day.

    Read Also: Taraba Killings: Buhari to visit Mambilla Plateau

    NAN

  • Accreditation: Plateau govt releases N200m to its Polytechnic

    The Plateau Government says it has approved the release of N200 million for the accreditation of courses in its Polytechnic.

    Gov. Simon Lalong said this on Wednesday, while declaring open, the 87th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), in Jos.

    Lalong, who was represented by Prof. John Wade, Director of Research and Documentation, Government House, noted that most of the courses offered by the institution were not accredited.

    “The non-accreditation of the courses poses a set-back for both the institution and its graduates.

    “We have approved the release of N200 million to the Polytechnic for the accreditation and re-accreditation of courses at the National and Higher National Diploma levels.

    “We will ensure the release of the approved funds so that the accreditation exercise will be completed within the second quarter of 2017,” he assured.

    Lalong said that government had also approved the 65-years retirement age for academic staff of all tertiary institutions, adding that salary structures of the institutions were being reviewed and would be harmonised.

    Earlier, ASUP National President, Mr Umar Dutse, had commended the Plateau Government for the peace so far achieved in the state.

    “We are happy that peace has returned to the state. If it were in the past few years we, we wouldn’t have held this meeting here,” he said.

    The National President also thanked the government for clearing the backlog of salaries owed its members, and urged government to expedite action on the accreditation of courses in the institution to avoid being de-listed from the body of Polytechnics in the country.

    He called on the government to lift the ban on employment so as to address the manpower deficit being experienced in the Polytechnic.

    “Information available to us shows that since 2006, no single academic staff was employed in this Polytechnic. This is not healthy for an institution of this magnitude,” he said.

     

  • FG approves N14.1bn loan for Plateau

    The Federal Government has approved a loan of N14.1 billion to Plateau State government under the Federal Guarantee Conditional Budget Support Scheme.

    Plateau State commissioner for Finance, Hon. Tamwakat Weli, who disclosed this in his office on Monday, said the approval was in recognition of the fiscal prudence of Governor Simon Lalong’s administration.

    The commissioner said, “The federal government has earmarked the sum of N14.1 billion naira to Plateau State. This money would be disbursed to the state in three tranches of N1.3 billion for three consecutive months. Thereafter, the balance will be disbursed over a period of nine months in equal amount of N1.1 billion only.

    “The interest rate for the loan is nine per cent for the tenure of 10 years with one year moratorium before repayment begins. The repayment is secured by future allocations and funds due to the Plateau State from the federal government.”

    The commissioner maintained that the development is coming at a time the state government offsets the outstanding salaries for state and local government workers with the second tranches of the salary bailout of N 5.2 billion naira secured from the federal government.