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Tag: Plateau

  • Plateau set to revive dry port project

    The Plateau State Government is set to revive its Inland Dry Port project located in Heipang, which was terminated by the immediate past administration in the state.

    Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong stated this when he paid a working visit to the Nigerian Shippers Council at the weekend.

    Lalong also said he would resuscitate the state’s dry port implementation committee to ensure the successful implementation and execution of the project.

    He stressed the urgent need to revive the project in view of the poor state of the national economy which has necessitated diversification by all tiers of government.

    Lalong listed some of the benefits expected from the proposed project to include job creation, business opportunity for importers and exporters and a turn around of the state’s economy in the face of dwindling oil revenue.

    He assured local and foreign investors of adequate security of their investments and personnel, saying the government had put in place security measures to stem the tide of insecurity in the state.

    According to him, Plateau is safe for investors, contrary to what he described as speculations of security challenges characterised by incessant bloody communal clashes in many communities in the state.

    “I want to assure you that immediately I get back home, I will take adequate  steps to re-validate and execute the project. I also appeal to other governors to do same because we are talking about developing the economy,” he said.

    The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Alhaji Hassan Bello, had, earlier in a speech, requested the governor to immediately re-validate the letter of exchange for the project site, which was revoked by the last administration in the state.

    The immediate past administration in the state had cancelled the building approval plan and demolished structures put in place by the concessionaire, for political reasons.

    Bello urged the state government to encourage the concessionaire to return to site by paying adequate compensation to the company for the extensive damage done to its structures and equipment by agents of the immediate past administration.

  • Plateau to revive dry port

    Plateau to revive dry port

    To show its disdain for the project, the Jonah Jang administration demolished the Plateau State dry port buildings. Now, there is hope that Governor Simon Lalong will bring it back to life. YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU reports

    There was joy in Plateau State when Jos, its capital, was chosen as the location of the Inland Container Depot or dry port, one of six such facilities approved by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration in 2004 for the geo-political zones, one for each. That of Northcentral was located in Heipang village due to its proximity to the Jos Airport.

    A dry port is a land depot for handling goods and also for temporary storage of import and export items under the control of customs and other agencies authorised to clear goods for home use, warehousing for onward transit and outright export.

    The Heipang dry port with a 20,000 metric tonnes capacity was reckoned to create jobs in the state. That was one of the reasons the locals danced when the project was approved, their joy increasing when building actually started. This was during the Michael Botmang administration, which wasted no time in providing the incentives for the smooth take-off of the project.

    The contract was awarded to a construction firm known as Duncan Maritime Services owned by a Plateau citizen. The company quickly moved to site because Chief Botmang wanted the Jos depot to be the first among the six to be commissioned by Obasanjo.

    The people’s joy was short-lived. Work eventually stopped when Botmang left office with the project unfinished. The Jang administration shunned the dry port; in time government bulldozers went to site and pulled down the structures, a development similar to the windmill project scenario in Animal Farm, where Napoleon urinated on the project prototype developed by a rival.

    The coming of Jang in 2007 marked the beginning of the end of the project and hope of job seekers in the state. In the eight years of the Jang administration, he not only shunned the dry port project but also went further to demolish the existing structures at the project site. That singular action was to mark the frustrating end of the project and its potentials.

    The former administration never hid its hatred for the inland depot project and the government then used any available fault against the contractor handling the project to kill it. For instance, on July 15, 2014, an agency of government, the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) asked the 80 workers on site to vacate the site telling them that the construction they were doing was against the town planning of government. The agency threatened the workers with arrest if they failed to vacate the site within 24 hours.

    The acting Project Manager, Nenfort Clifford Gonchen said, “Over 80 labourers working at the site were stopped by the staff of state government because they were threatening to arrest them. The labourers were roaming about the street when the company offered them the opportunity to end their plight, the state government could not offer them jobs but we did, what then is our offence?” he asked.

    A week after, General Manager of JMDB General Musa Gambo Wuyep, ordered the labourers to stop work on the site, the government agency came with its bulldozers to demolish the ongoing construction on the claim that the contractor failed to comply with the conditions set out by the State Master Plan as well non-compliance with the Greater Jos Master Plan.

    The Community leader of Heipang, the host community, Mr. Iliya Dalyop Mwadkon a retired Justice, made effort to mediate and ensure the project remained only hit the rocks as government bulldozers went to work to demolish the structures to formally bring the project to an end. Mr Mwadkwon faulted the government on the demolition saying, “the state government did not consider the immediate benefit of the project to the host community before taking the harsh action. This demolition is a great set back to the community and the state at large.

    The youth leader of Heipang community Monday Davou Gyang said, “The workers who are youths of the community were idle before they were employed by the contractor, now they have all lost their jobs because of government action; is government expecting these jobless youths to go and steal and go into all sorts of crime?”

    The feeling of the host community notwithstanding, the Group General Manager, Duncan Group of Companies, Dr. Godfrey Bawa Shitgurum ran to court to seek justice over government’s demolition of his properties. Dr. Shitgurum is already claiming billions of naira.

    Dr Shitgurum alleged in a press conference that the state government did not notify him of the demolition.

    He said, “There was a threat by the plateau state government to demolish the properties, and we went to court to seek injunction to stop the state government from implementing their threat. But in spite of the Federal High Court injunction restraining the state government under Jonah Jang and the Jos Metropolitan Development Board JMDB, the duo still went ahead to demolished structures at the site of the Inland Container Deport.

    “The injunction was served and received by JMDB and the Plateau State  Ministry of Justice on Monday july 21st, 2014 by one Christiana G Bot of JMDB and Huwa Samuel of the State ministry of justice respectively.

    “It has become imperative for us at Duncan maritime ventures limited to state our position following the destruction of our facilities at the Jos Inland Container Depot Heipang by the Plateau state government through its agency the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) with the view to putting the record straight and disabuse certain misconception.”

    “Since the inception of the Jos ICD project, transactions have been between Duncan maritime Ventures limited and the Federal government of Nigeria through the Nigerian Shippers’ Council a parastatal of the federal ministry of transport and at no point had they have  any direct contact with the Plateau state Government adding that they are surprised that without any information from either the ministry of transport or the Nigerian Shipper’s council, the JMDB moved into site to carry out the demolition.

    He said, “Among items destroyed were the gate complex which was 86% completion and the administrative block 45% completion, over 26,000 blocks, timber and several items which could have completed this job were destroyed in the exercise.

    He said, “The federal Government’s idea of setting up ICDs is aimed at bringing the facilities closer the other majority of Nigerians at the hinterland, as well as (reduce the cost of clearing goods, lower the prices of commodities, reduce unemployment rate, facilitate additional development in the benefiting states among others.

    “Because of the importance attached to this project, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) of 15th March 2006 approved its commencement on a Build Owned Operate and Transfer (BOOT) agreement in six location including Heipang; and backed it legally with Federal Republic of Nigeria official gazette no 30 vol 94  of May 21st 2007.

    “To further facilitate the execution of the project,  FG through the Nigerian Shippers Council contacted the respective state governments for land, saying after negotiation, the Plateau State government handed over the Heipang site to the Federal Government vide a letter PSG/1100/vol.II/308 dated 24th September 2007 and signed by Nanle Dashen, Commissioner,

    Land Survey and Town Planning” for the use of the federal government of Nigeria.

    “At this point we commenced work at the site until the recent sad development where our efforts were pulled down without any justifiable reason. There is no gainsaying the fact that, we lost properties worth millions of Naira from the destruction while the implication of this destruction has greater effect on the citizens.

    “The Heipang ICD would have served many states in the Northcentral zone and some other parts of the Northeast. Its economic benefits in Plateau State are many. Apart from generating revenue for the state and creating employment for its teeming indigenous communities, it would have served as a commercial centre of the state as well as given the state a new lease of life.

    “We lack the power to stop the state government, but we are placing our hope on the judiciary to do justice on this matter, we are law abiding company, we don’t take law into our hands because we trust the Nigeria judiciary to act accordingly on this matter,” said Dr. Shitgurum.

    Governor Lalong
    Governor Lalong

    That was the battle at the Jos dry port under former Governor Jang tenure, that administration fought the federal government that initiate the port, it fought the contractor handling the construction as well as the site laborers. However, with the outster of that administration and the coming of APC administration of Governor Lalong, it appears the dry port will be revived for its huge potential to the state.

    A delegation of the federal and state government visited the site to inspect the demolition and the extent of loss incurred by the company. This is with a view to reviving the project and see to its logical conclusion. The delegation comprises of the zonal coordinator of Nigerian Shippers Council North-central Mr Bali Kparbong, the port Project Manager Mr Nenfort Gonchen and Mr. John Dafan, the Chief of Staff to Governor Lalong.

    Mr. Kparbong said, “The dry inland container depot remains the only strong revenue drive Plateau State could boast of, I therefore belief strongly this project must be brought back to light so as to ensure the federal government achieved its aims of initiating the dry ports. All we need now is the support and encouragement from the host government which was lacking. We call on the APC-led government in the state to support us in ensuring the completion of this project. It is not time to trade blame, we should put the past behind us, the federal and the state government need to come together and complete this project for the benefit of mankind.

  • Plateau tribunal rules today

    The Plateau State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is set for another victory dance, as the election petition tribunal in Jos will today deliver judgment on the governorship election.

    Security agencies have tightened security in Jos and restricted movement on the court premises.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenged APC’s victory, alleging the election was marred by malpractices.

    But the APC said its victory as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was in accordance with the electoral guidelines.

  • Snakes attack Plateau communities

    Snakes attack Plateau communities

    The flood this year came with snakes whose bites have left residents of two communities jumpy. YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU reports

     

    The rains came with floods and the floods with strange snakes. The worst days of the floods are over in Plateau State and the people are happy that it was not as devastating as the previous ones. Still, the fear of snakes persist in the Angas communities of Kanke and Kanam councils of the state. In two weeks the venomous snakes have bitten 50 people, five of whom have died, many still being treated.

    The residents said the reptiles came with the water and now seem to have found a home in their communities, but the reptiles are not merely settling down quietly; they are frequently sinking their teeth and venom in their hosts.

    As flood waters receded, strange species of snakes found their way to bushes, farms and homes in the communities. The snakes, found to be highly poisonous, are attacking any living thing they see in the community including animals and humans.

    They have attacked no fewer than 50 people at home and on the farms in both local governments.

    Their representative in the National Assembly, Hon. Timothy Golu who raised the alarm over the snake invasion when he visited his constituency, said, “We have records of over 50 members of my constituency with cases of snakebite, we are battling to save their lives the best way we can.

    The federal lawmaker said, “Out of the over 50 persons affected, five of them have died of the snake poison; many others are still in critical condition as I’m talking to you now, they are currently on admission in various hospitals. Some were taken to traditional medicine homes within the locality, 13 of them are currently receiving treatment at Zamko clinic in Langtang, 20 in native doctors home, while some visited the centers for daily treatment owing to lack of bed space the hospital.

    Among victims of the snake invasion, Hon Golu said, “Some were lucky to survive it, they have been treated and discharged. I discovered that the severity of the effect of the venom of the snake differs in individual victims, some have strong antibodies that resist the power of the snake poison, in some other individuals, the poison can kill them within an hour after bite. There is the case of one woman from my village is a different one, she was bitten by the snake, she was taken to the hospital, treated and discharged. But it was later discovered that pus is gushing from the wound and we have to return her to the hospital for checks. The woman is limping with that leg because of the pains.

    Members of the communities described the strange snakes as plague, they said the snakes move in pair, where one is sighted the other will be very close, they can be found on trees, in holes, in grasses, and any other available place that can contain them. The villagers described the snake to have black color like the black mamba and can be between two to five meters long.

    Hon Golu is expressing fears that the snake is capable of wrecking havoc in his constituency unless there are concrete measures put in place by the state and federal governments. “I want the federal government to send immediate intervention to my constituency; with what I see on the ground, victims now depend on luck to survive these poisonous snakes. The federal government need to treat this case with the kind of attention given to the Ebola case. This snake can multiply and spread to other local governments, so something urgent should be done to contain them”

    The lawmaker suggested that the federal should send in anti-snake venom drugs, we are also crying to the world Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF to come and help, the anti-venue drugs are beyond the reach of the common man. NEMA should also come in because many residence are fleeing the affected villages for fear of the snake. The immediate and urgent solution we need now is to fumigate the entire communities and the entire environment. If not so, people cannot go to farm, women cannot go to the bush to fetch firewood, residents cannot come out at night, most people are indoors, they have been made prisoners in their own homes”

    But beyond the strange snakes allegedly brought into the communities by flood, there is something attractive to poisonous snakes in Kanke local government. The people have been battling with issues of poisonous snakes for several decades. The snakes of Kanke local government have their season to operate, and when it is their season, the snakes go out to look for whoever to bite, and once they bite, your chance of survival is very slim. The people and government of the area have been advocating for the establishment of special hospital for the treatment of snake bite.

    Hon Golu said, “Yes, my local government Kanke has been experiencing incidences of snakebite for a very long time. But what we are experiencing this time is different. We have been crying to government to do something about the peculiar situation in Kanke, I tried my best when I was a state law maker from that constituency, but nothing was done. But now the situation is getting worse because a strange species of dangerous snakes have invaded the area, they were transported here by flood, I don’t why they decided to remain here, now they people cannot sleep, me need help fast.”

    Hon Golu has advised his people to use rain boots and hand gloves if they must go to farms or go out at night as the only preventive measure against the rampaging snakes.

     

  • Son ‘kills’ mum in Plateau

    A man, Bravo Kunde, has allegedly killed his 75- year-old mother, Wollo Inde, with a machete.

    A source said the incident  occurred yesterday about 10am at Jenta Magoro in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

    The source said the young man allegedly killed his mother after a disagreement.

    Police spokesman Abu Emmanuel confirmed the incident.

    He said the suspect had been arrested and would be arraigned after investigation.

  • Plateau gets bailout funds committee

    Plateau gets bailout funds committee

    Plateau State Governor,  Simon Bako  Lalong, has inaugurated a committee to oversee the use and implementation of the Federal Government’s  bailout funds.

    A statement from the Director,  Press and Public Affairs to the Governor, Mr.  Samuel Emmanuel Nanle reads: “Consequent upon the approval of a N5.375 billion bailout Funds of the Federal Government for Plateau State for the payment of backlog of salaries, the Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong, has approved the constitution of an Implementation Committee for  the bailout funds under the chairmanship of the Head of Civil Service,  Huldah Fwangchi.

    “Other members of the Committee are the Accountant-General of the state, the Permanent Secretary Establishment and Pension Matters, the Permanent Secretary Local Government Service Commission, the state Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), the Director General, Debt Management Office, the State Chairman Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the State Chairman, National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and  Selfa Dashe who is to serve as Secretary.

    ”The Committee is to assiduously see to the application of the funds towards the payment of all outstanding salaries, pending when further funds would be secured under an ongoing intervention being negotiated by the state government to clear up whatever is left of the staff salaries, pension, gratuities and on-going critical contracts.”

    In the light of the above the Executive Governor met on September 22, 2015 with the Members of Plateau State Public Service Joint Negotiating Council to update them on the state government’s Debt Restructuring and issues surrounding the total amount of bailout available to the State, and what is left to clear up all outstanding salaries of civil servants, gratuities and Pensions as well as funds needed for infrastructural Interventions which are being processed.

    ‘’The governor wishes to thank all civil servants serving and retired as well as the citizenry of the state for their patience, understanding and support. The governor further assures that he will not rest on his oars until all matters concerning salaries emoluments; on-going critical road projects as well as other matters of governance are fully addressed,”   Nanle stated.

  • Lalong’s change agenda on the Plateau

    Lalong’s change agenda on the Plateau

    Correspondent YUSUFU IDEGU examines the achievement of Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong and people’s expectations about dividends of democracy.

    The people of Plateau State have commended Governor Lalong for what they describe as rescue mission in the state. They are particularly happy, that in 100 days, Lalong has cleared sthe backlog of salaries owed the civil servants by the immediate past administration of David Jang. The governor was also applauded for his effort towards resolving the ethnic conflict in the state.

    Even though 100 days is not enough to asses the performance of a government, but many citizens are convinced that Lalong administration will bring change to Plateau State during its four year tenure.

    In his assessment of Lalong administration, former Chariman National Population Commission (NPC) Chief Samu’ila Makama said, “We all crave for a change in governance in the state, we have kept our eyes on Gov Lalong for the past 100 days and I can say, so far so good. There might be no major achievements, but he has given us hope that his administration will do us proud.

    “I am particularly delighted with the quality of credible people he has appointed so far especially that of Prof Attahiru Jega to help us develop our state university. Prof Jega is an experienced scholar, he was a former president of ASUU and a former Vice Chancellor of Bayero University Kano. With that experience Prof Jega knows exactly what to do to develop our young university. The institution was badly mismanaged by past administration to the extent that ten years after the establishment of the university it has not graduated any set of student. So bringing in Prof Jega at this stage is a good omen for the university”

    Makama said: “The decision of the new government to continue with projects inherited from the immediate past administration is commendable because those road projects are key to tourism development of the state. The governor also embarked on massive maintenance of road network across the state capital, port holes has been a source of night mare to residents of the city, but he has taken that pain off road users and motorists”.

    A former chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Mr Maina and currently a chieftain of theAPC in the state said: “I will judge this government based on their background and antecedent. The state has been under the governance of PDP, but because of lack of internal democracy and imposition, we opted for APC. Again the APC government came to inherit huge debt, even the PDP government admitted they left a debt of N109 billion excluding several months of salary arrears, so that is a very bad situation for the take off of any new government.

    “The expectations of the people were very high and there was no resources to take off. That was the peculiarity of the new government in Plateau, but even with nothing to start, Gov Lalong has become our change engineer and so far he has given us hope and is taking off in a way that prove he will not disappoint us. I commend his initiative to clear backlog of workers salaries, and most especially, the APC government has refused to abandon inherited project, that shows he meant well for the people and he listen to the wishes and aspirations of the people that gave him the mandate”

    The labor union has also rated the administration high. The state chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Comrade Gushing Yarlings said, “The welfare of teachers and  civil servants were so poor when he took over, but as I’m talking to you now all that have changed, I can confirm that the APC government has made workers welfare topmost priority and the salary arrears he inherited has been positively handled and all the workers are happy for that. Our  fear is will he sustain the tempo having started so well, time shall tell”.

    The Senator representing Plateau South in the National Assembly and a chieftain of PDP, Gen. Jeremiah Useni, has this to say of the 100 days of Gov Lalong: “The governor has proved he is a peacemaker. His efforts to resolve the conflict in Berom land is commendable. I will also express my appreciation for the governor’s concern for the state civil servants who were on strike before he assumed office. I was made to understand the governor has cleared the seven months salary arrears he inherited. I belief the governor has also taken concrete steps to unite the people of the state. But in all, Governor Lalong’s efforts to replicate President Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade should be applauded by all citizens of the state because corruption was becoming a tradition, and is a tradition that cannot bring progress to any society”

    However, the PDP has scored Lalong administration low saying it lacked clear cut ideas on governance.

    “It is also sad to note that he has remained without a cabinet, choosing to carry on with an assortment of party faithful and loyalists, cronies and relations, awarding and executing projects.  He has not portrayed himself as a leader demanding accountability, a virtue which should force our public institutions to self-account. While Mr. President has amply demonstrated that he has begun the war on corruption and thievery, Barrister Lalong’s actions in the last 100 days have portrayed him as one who lacks the moral capacity to prosecute an anti-corruption crusade in the state. This is because most of the procurements carried out so far have been shrouded in secrecy and executed by close associates and family members.”

    But, another opposition party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is full of praises to the new government. The party which fielded a governorship candidate in the governorship election said. “Though 100 days is never enough to judge the achievement of any government, but, there are signals that Governor Lalong is a change agent. The slogan of APC, which is ‘change’ has beginning to take shape on the plateau, we seen ongoing road projects, salary arrears are being paid, and the issue of internal conflict is receiving adequate attention of Governor Lalong when compare to the recent past. We think there is hope of good governance so far, said, Mallam Sabiu Musa, the ADC flag bearer in 2015 governorship election.

    The governor has called on the people of the state affairs in the state to be patience with his government. He said, “Our 100 days in office should be seen in the light of the practical steps that have been put in place to address myriad of problems that were inherited.

    “The traditional expectation from Government is an unprecedented show of support as demonstrated by the desire for change. I know that our people also expect a quick return to a Plateau where the virtues of true leadership are upheld in the fear of God, a deep sense of commonality in our ethnic diversity, mutual respect, tolerance, peace, hospitality, humility and diligence. Our patriotic desire to serve is therefore anchored on the pursuit of truth and the enthronement of a governance process that shows commitment to social justice, economic progress and respect for the rule of law.

    “In the consciousness with which I assumed leadership of our dear state, we made promises and gave assurances of what would be done in a term of four years. This is with expectations and from the imagination of the challenges that realistically stared us in the face. We are indeed not willing to relent but sustain the hope of our people in a government that feels their pain and are religiously committed to alleviating their sufferings through the appropriate use of our common wealth.

    “The enormity of the challenges that we are confronted with have left us with only the immediate option of making quick fixes that will address human basic needs of the citizenry and guarantee the sustenance of a peaceful environment for good governance. In this regard, we remained focused and resolute on addressing the lingering labor unrest through the confidence building dialogue with labor Unions on all the issues in contention. These include the payment of salaries, pensions arrears and the immediate response in addressing injustices meted on certain categories of public office holders through the deliberate abuse of the rule of law and public service procedure.

    “Our attention was focused also on the issue of finding a long lasting solution to the violent conflicts in Riyom, Barkin Ladi and parts of Jos South Local Governments Areas, which have continued unabated and have left the state with painful memories of horror and a large number of internally displaced persons. Our approach to resolving this challenge is hinged on rekindling first, confidence in government’s sincerity to solving the problems and then the willingness of the communities for an end to the crisis.

    “Our efforts in facilitating dialogue through the many consultations are yielding result beyond imagination. Thus, whilst through the efforts of the Special Task Force, the issues of outright criminality and terrorism are checked, the communities themselves through the Peace and Reconciliation Committee set up by government will actively participate in evolving practical solutions to resolving the conflicts”

     

     

    Governor Lalong catalogue the liabilities he inherited this way; A workforce whose salaries have not been paid and social welfare needs addressed. An educational sector that is totally grounded from the primary to the tertiary level with all the lingering challenge of unstructured governance in that sector. Awards of road and other infrastructure contracts without funds to complete them. Very low morale of Civil Service setting where the bureaucratic parameters and career development potentials have been abused. Security challenges that have threatened lives and the means of livelihood in the Northern Senatorial District. Virtually empty State treasury and a deplorable condition of limited potential for revenue earning.

     

    In addressing these challenges, Gov Lalong said, “the Transition Committee came into place to identify the level of decay and the state of affairs of the state. Having gone through the report submitted, we shall, as a government, be engaging and implementing the recommendations through a four pronged approach. Through the instrumentality of law, we would immediately pursue the recovery of funds and all government properties annexed or carted away. These include fraudulently monies siphoned through the instrumentality of state agencies for which works have not been done or have not reached the level of payments.

     

    The governor also said, “In our modest way, having acknowledged the enormity of the challenges on ground and being resolute on solving them, this administration has been able to pay workers salary arrears for five months as well as three months pension arrears. Government will endeavor to clear the outstanding as the bail-out is received. We have also launched intervention on road network in Jos the state capital, we are currently reconstructing 18 streets to give the city a face-lift.

     

    “I assumed office when farmers were preparing their land for farming, I supported them with fertilizer, I ordered and distributed 650 trucks of fertilizer to our rural farmers through a community based distribution, which involves Ward and District Heads, so as to eliminates the sharp practices associated with middle men.

     

    “I have mobilized contractors back to sites to make sure the intra-city road construction I inherited are completed for the benefit of our people. The same thing applied to the state high court complex at West of Mines and the state House of Assembly complex.

     

    With these positive steps taken to prove that the change the people yearned for has began, Gov Lalong gave further assurance of a brighter future, “may I further assure you that inspite of the several odds against us, I will ensure that bridges of reconciliation and peace are built so that we forge a new social and economic order anchored on the principle of social justice, rule of law and equal opportunity. We shall strive to be God fearing in the discharge of duties of governance and shall be just and fair to all.

     

    All said and done, but as far as plateau citizens are concerned, they have brought forth a government of change, the burden now lies of the new government effect the change the people desired. Time is ticking away, days, months are already passing-by, and the people are counting. One thing is obvious, the people are ready to change their government if the government failed to change the lives of the people after four years. The change must continued until the people are certified that their social security is guaranteed.

     

  • Hostilities: Lalong calls for calm in Plateau

    Hostilities: Lalong calls for calm in Plateau

    Following the hostilities on Tuesday night in the border communities of Mangu and Barkin Ladi local government areas of Plateau, Gov. Simon Lalong has called for calm on the part of residents.

    Lalong, in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mr Emmanuel Nanle, appealed to all residents to embrace peace and not take laws into their hands while reporting suspicious movements to security agencies.

    He said the unfortunate attacks, which claimed many lives and properties, took place at the border communities of Kadunu and Fan of Mangu and Barkin local government areas respectively.

    Lalong stated that it was regrettable that as government made efforts to ensure the end of violent conflicts in Barkin Ladi, Riyom and some parts of Jos South Local Government, the state was faced with another communal crisis.

    He, however, commended the security agencies for their prompt response in curtailing the escalation of the situation and also charged them to do the needful to forestall future occurrences.

    Lalong also commended the management of Jos University Teaching Hospital and Comprehensive Centre in Gindiri for providing medical services to the injured.

    The governor directed the State Emergency Management Agency to as a matter of urgency provide relief materials to all those affected.

  • Lalong: Plateau’ll be a safe haven

    Lalong: Plateau’ll be a safe haven

    Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has expressed hope that the military task force, Operation Safe Heaven,  will help improve the state’s security.

    He spoke during a service at the Church of Christ in  the Nations (COCIN) headquarters in Jos to mark his 100 days in the office. According to him, insecurity will be a thing of the past.

    He said: “Soonest, Plateau State will become a haven for people to live in.”

    On his first 100 days in office, he said: “We are not celebrating 100 days in office; we are only reminding the people of Plateau of the contract  we have with them and with that contract, people will like to know the steps we are taking to fulfil our obligations to them.

    “Many people do not last for 100 days, but God in His infinite mercies has kept all of us and given us the grace to be here today.”

    Plateau, he said, has paid workers despite not receiving the bailout fund yet.

    “We have paid salary arrears up to five months without receiving bailout funds. We have not received our own bailout funds and as soon as we receive the funds, we will not allow unpaid salaries any room in the state. Government is a continuum; we are addressing the unfinished projects we inherited from the past administration because the projects are projects for Plateau people. The contractor at the airport road will be mobilised this week to go back to site, likewise the bridge contractors.

    “ We are restructuring the civil service for the overall interest of the people. On security, we are doing a lot of things with the Presidency and Operation Safe Heaven, very soon insecurity will be a thin of the past, we must protect the lives of the people of Plateau State”

    He thanked the people for their prayers, saying: “With God on our side, in the next three months, we will be  here to give  you periodic report of what we are doing for the State, in the next 100 days, we will be here with our report,” Lalong said.

    Earlier in his sermon, the church’s President Rev. Dachollom Dachiri,  urged leaders to hold unto God so that they can serve the people better.

    He said: “Hold unto the Lord well. If you hold Him tight, the changes you will bring will be good and permanent, the Plateau project is the project of all of us.

    “There is no crises on the Plateau, what we have in hand is that Plateau is being massacred every day. God will give you the grace, the wisdom and the power to address all the problems of the State, we are behind you in prayers, the Plateau project is our project”

    Rev Dachiri, who took his readings from First Samuel chapters 13 and 15, praised Gov. Lalong for starting very well but cautioned: “In our Christian walk, we must start well and end well unlike Saul who started well and ended up badly.

    “Saul started out very well, on a very good footing which promised of a great reign and great legacy, but his subsequent disobedience to God’s instructions derailed what was called to do. A repentant Christian is a growing Christian because each time he sins, he repents and grows from strength to strength, that is King David was a man after God’s hearth,” Dachiri said.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Plateau gets panel to resolve Fulani, Berom crisis

    The Plateau State Government has set up a 14-man committee, seven each from the warring Berom and Fulani communities, to reconcile their differences and ensure lasting peace.

    Addressing reporters yesterday in Jos, the state capital, Governor Simon Lalong said: “We decided to select seven representatives from each of the groups to enable them resolve their differences. The peace committee is already working and it has gone very far.”

    The governor said the committee was at the behest of the warring groups after meeting with them separately and collectively.

    He said: “We met the two groups separately, listened to them, before we met them together, where we gauged their feelings toward each other.

    “From what they said, they appeared to have resolved that government should allow them to work out a peace process from among themselves without any external interference.

    “They have poured out their minds, and you will be surprised at how open they have been to each other.

    “Honestly, they all want to live in peace. They are tired of the violence and want to live peacefully because they have seen and felt the consequences of the lingering violence.”

    Lalong said government’s involvement in the peace talks had been supervisory.

    He said: “The committee is chaired by a government representative. The secretary is also a government representative. We did that to free the atmosphere for the talks to proceed without distractions over who should chair or lead.

    “We also believe that such stance had smoothened the flow of the talks because they feel equally treated and are confident that no one is being treated as a minority in the talks.”

    The governor urged the warring communities to embrace peace, adding that the consequences of the instability had been very disastrous to all groups.

    Lalong said: “They are farmers and herdsmen who need freedom to enter the bushes to farm and graze without the fear of being attacked or ambushed.

    “The restrictions to cattle movement and distractions from farms have brought untold hardship to them and they appear anxious to put that experience behind them and embrace each other.”

    The governor said the government was ready to parley with any group or community to ensure the return of peace on the Plateau.

    He noted that peace was crucial to the state’s development and growth.

    Lalong said: “We want a better state. We want to grow as a people and we want development projects.

    “We also want our Irish potatoes and poultry farms to flourish and buyers to come in from inside and outside the country. We can’t get such dreams to reality if there is no peace and if the impression is created that Plateau is not safe.”