The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang has held a meeting with the reconstituted State Elders Forum where he reeled out the shady realities they had to contend with when they assumed office in May this year. He revealed that the situation of things in the state were worse than they thought.
According to him, they did not meet any sector alive, pointing out what they met on ground called for sober reflection. He urged the elders forum to support the present administration in bringing the government from the mess it inherited, adding that even government documents were being photocopied in business centres.
Governor Mutfwang revealed this in a meeting held with the Plateau State Elders” Forum recently at the Banquet Hall , Government House, Little Rayfield Jos. He also intimated them about the debt profile and the palliative received from the federal government.
According to him, he met a debt profile of about ₦300 billion and months of unpaid salaries as well as civil servants on strike as a result. However, they were quick to swing into action in ensuring that civil servants were paid.
The governor who said they have the resources to pay salaries up to date, frowned at the civil service bureaucracy which he posited was delaying the process. But assured that when processes were completed, salaries would be paid to date.
On the ₦5 billion said to be given to states by the Federal Government to be given to the poorest of the poor , Governor Mutfwang said Plateau State was in receipt of only ₦2 billion, revealing that the sum was not free but a loan that would be repaid over time.
Out of the money, he revealed that the federal government instructed them to use ₦1 billion for the purchase of local rice for onward delivery to the poor in the society.
He asked the elders to go to sleep as the money would be judiciously shared to the poorest of the poor in the state, promising not to disappoint them in that regard.
On the security situation bedevilling Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin -Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas, the governor said the rein of terror being unleashed on innocent citizens was unacceptable. And revealed that the attacks being perpetrated came from outside of Plateau State.
Barr. Mutfwang therefore solicited for support from elders to help in this direction. But was quick to commend the General Officer, Commanding 3 Armoured Division, who is also the Joint Task Force Chairman, Operation Safe Haven for fighting the insurgents headlong where relative peace was restored.
He therefore assured the people that government has taken steps to resuscitate the Operation Rainbow. He assured that in the coming weeks, the security outfit would be fully operational as staff would be trained by security forces.
Mutfwang also intimated them that they had to mobilise tractors from the ASTC to cultivate large hectares of fallow land that has been left unattended to, as a result of the crisis in some local government council’s so that there would be food for people
On the state of the state tertiary institutions , the governor explained that they were in a comatose stage but they had to intervene by the prompt release of ₦200 million and ₦300 million to salvage the Plateau State Polytechnic as well as the State University, Bokkos for courses accreditation and other sundry issues.
He said, government would continue to seek the wise counsel of the Plateau Elders’ Forum at all times and would also engage the youths in its activities so that they will move the state to the next level of development.
” Hundred days in office or not, this government is ready to face the task of governance. There will be massive road rehabilitation in the next few weeks, if the rain subsides”, Governor Mutfwang assured.
