Retired Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), James Goleng, is the chairmanship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Kanke in the local council elections scheduled for October 9, 2024. In this exclusive interview with LUCY CHINDABA, he outlines his elaborate plans for the area in terms of economic empowerment, education and gender equity, among others. Excerpts:
PLEASE can you introduce yourself?
I am Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) retired, James Goleng. I was born on the 1st of October, 1965. I joined the Nigerian Police Force on the 1st of July, 1986, and served for 35 years, retiring meritoriously on the 1st of July, 2021. After my retirement, I decided to go into politics under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
I was born in Seri, in Kanke LGA of Plateau State, to the family of late Mr. and Mrs. Goleng of blessed memory. I attended primary school in Ajikamai, Shendam Local Government, and later proceeded to secondary school.
Currently, I am a visiting lecturer at the Police Staff College Jos, even in my retirement.
Sir, you said after you retired, you ventured into politics. I’m trying to connect police work and politics. How were you able to make the transition?
It was quite easy for me because, during my service, I had the privilege of being the Chief Security Officer to the former Governor of Plateau State, Dr. Jonah Jang, who served from 2007 to 2015.
As his Chief Security Officer, and later as Aide De Camp (ADC), I observed and learned from him closely. I admired his system of administration, and that inspired me to join politics after my retirement.
Your mentor, Dr. Jonah Jang, is in the PDP, while you are contesting under the APC. How do you reconcile that?
Political parties are mere platforms to access leadership. The reality of where I come from, which is Kanke LGA, is that it’s predominantly APC. This is why I chose to align with the APC. It’s not just about personal preferences; it’s about responding to the call of my people. They wanted me to run under the APC, so I answered that call.
You want to be the chairman of Kanke LGA. What are your plans for the area?
One of the key reasons I am running for office is to serve humanity. If you’ve looked through my agenda, I have what is called the “SEED Plan.” SEED stands for Security, Education, Economic Emancipation, and Development of critical infrastructure.
When I look at Kanke LGA, I see a local government that is lagging in development. During my time working with Governor Jang, he built a mini-stadium and constructed roads to open up the local government. However, since then, little has been done. My goal is to build on the foundation laid by others, adding to the development of our area so that Kanke can thrive alongside other LGAs.
Can you elaborate more on your SEED agenda?
The SEED agenda stands for Security, Education, Economic Emancipation, and Development of critical infrastructure.
First, security is my number one focal point. I served in the Nigerian Police Force for 35 years, and I believe I have the professional knowledge and experience to help secure Kanke LGA. Kanke used to be one of the safest and most peaceful local governments, but recently, we’ve seen a rise in kidnapping and other criminal activities. I plan to bring my expertise to develop new strategies that will restore peace and security to the area.
Second, education is critical. I recently visited a primary school where pupils were sitting on bare floors. It was disheartening. As a school proprietor myself, I know what quality education should look like. I plan to invest in both primary and secondary education, ensuring our students graduate not only with academic knowledge but also with entrepreneurship skills. This way, even if someone leaves school early, they will have skills to support themselves and their families.
Next is economic emancipation. Kanke is backward in terms of revenue generation. Our people, especially the Ngas, often travel far north to trade in dogs, which is a major livelihood for many. If elected, I plan to create avenues for dog breeding within our locality. This would not only reduce the risks involved in travelling long distances but also create jobs. In addition, Kanke has only two functional markets—Amper Market and Dawaki Market. I plan to revive the defunct Langshi Market and create better road networks to connect our wards and boost trade. This will open up new revenue streams for the local government.
Finally, we will focus on the development of critical infrastructure. Roads, markets, and other infrastructure are key to economic growth, and I plan to make them a priority.
The local government elections are around the corner, and people are often apathetic towards elections. How do you plan to encourage voter turnout?
The Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, has assured us that the election will be fair, regardless of party affiliations. I encourage the electorate to come out en masse and vote. It’s important that the people of Kanke realise that their vote is their voice. I am confident that with their support, we can bring real change to the local government.
Any plans for women and youth in the locality?
Yes, women and youth are crucial in every election and in the development process. They are often the majority of voters, and they contribute significantly to the local economy. If elected, I plan to set up programmes that will empower them. This will include business support, skills acquisition, and access to startup capital. I also plan to introduce human capital development programmes to help our youths gain the skills and knowledge they need to be self-reliant.
In the area of agriculture, what do you intend to do?
Agriculture is another key area where Kanke LGA has potential. For example, the Ampang Garram zone produces a lot of vegetables, onions, and other perishable goods. I plan to provide assistance to farmers to help them increase production. This will not only boost the local economy but also provide food security for the area.
You worked with former Governor Jonah Jang. In what ways has he impacted your life, and how do you think that will help you if you become the chairman of Kanke Local Government Council?
Dr Jang has been a father figure and mentor to me. His passion for the development of Plateau State is something I deeply admire. Under his leadership, Plateau witnessed a transformation, especially in terms of infrastructure. He built dual carriageways, solar street lighting, and improved human capital development. Working with him taught me the importance of focus, transparency, and delivering on promises.
I plan to bring those lessons to Kanke LGA. My leadership will focus on improving infrastructure, creating opportunities for economic growth, and ensuring that the people of Kanke feel the impact of government in their everyday lives.
The people of Kanke should vote for me because I am committed to ensuring that their voices are heard and that their needs are met. I bring a wealth of experience from my years in service, both in the Nigerian Police Force and in my interactions with local and international communities. I understand the challenges we face in Kanke, from insecurity to poor infrastructure and economic stagnation. With my ‘SEED’ agenda – Security, Education, Economic Emancipation, and Development of critical infrastructure – I aim to provide practical solutions to these issues.
My leadership will focus on restoring security, improving educational facilities, empowering women and youth, expanding our markets and developing infrastructure to unlock the full potential of Kanke. I have a strong passion for service and, if given the opportunity, I will work tirelessly to bring about the transformation our local government deserves.
So, on election day, I urge the people of Kanke to come out, exercise their rights, and vote for progress. Together, we can build a better and more prosperous Kanke LGA.