By PALANG KASMI
AFTER attaining almost one year in office, the Plateau State Government under The Time is Now mantra of Governor Caleb Mutfwang has presented its record of achievements so far.
Ten commissioners, heads of boards and parastatals made their various presentations during the second Town Hall Accountability Forum organized by the Office of the Director General, Research and Documentation, Governor’s Office, Jos, in conjunction with the Plateau Radio Television Corporation (PRTVC).
The forum, which was aired live on TV and radio, took place recently at the PRTVC TV studio, Rayfield, Jos, Plateau State.
In attendance were stakeholders in the state, from civil society organizations and the media.
The DG Research and Documentation of the Plateau State Government, Dr. Sam Gordons, said it was time to engage with the people of the state to let them know what the government had so far done since assumption of office on May 29, 2023.
In a welcome remark, GM, PRTVC, Kachollom Rita Pam, said the heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were at the PRTVC Television studio for accountability and to inform the people of the giant strides of the Mutfwang administration.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Philimon Daffi, in his presentation, disclosed that, on assumption of office, his ministry paid the backlog of dressing allowances of lawyers, equipped offices with computers, internet services, renovated the library, entrance of the ministry and set up a citizen’s mediation center to enhance the prompt resolution of civil cases in line with global best practices.
He added that, aside restructuring some archaic laws, there were plans to remodel the obsolete Ministry of Justice structure to a 3-story building, equipped with modern sophisticated structures to make it meet current architectural standards.
Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr. Mrs. Kachollom Gang, disclosed that because the Mutfwang administration met an educational system full of challenges, the governor approved over N1billion for the accreditation of programmes at the Plateau State University, Bokkos, Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi, College of Nursing and Midwifery and College of Education, Gindiri, among others.
She pointed out that the ministry also reviewed students’ scholarships and allowances from N5,000 to 300 percent to meet current economic realities and embarked on skills acquisition programmes to empower students.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Samson Bugama, said he embarked on staff training, planted 1000 economic trees and distributed N3.6 billion worth of fertilizers.
“We will open crop zones in the state to till lands across the state, farm large hectares, and plant potatoes in Bokkos LGA, Wheat in Bassa LGA etc, among so many other things,” he stated.
On his part, Commissioner for Transport, Jatau Davou Gyang, explained trains had been test-run in the state but his ministry was still trying to address the challenges of electricity lines close to rail lines so that they can fully take off.
“To reduce accidents, we created truck depots at Mararaba Jema’a, Mista Ali and Babale and are working on security of citizens by ensuring Keke and taxi drivers register their QR codes for personal identification and accountability,” Gyang explained.
The GM, Plateau Express Services Ltd, Samuel Jok Bot, said, “It is a new chapter for the organisation, as we purchased 20 Toyota Mini Vans, 20 new hummer buses for long distances, trained drivers, and social media engagements to meet modern transport trends.”
He appreciated Governor Mutfwang for purchasing the Tin City Metro system which had created employment opportunities for 250 people and indirect employment for 500 people.
The General Manager, Jos Metropolitan Development Board, Arch. Hart Bankat, disclosed that 24 roundabouts would be constructed in the coming months.
He advised Plateau citizens to register their schools, houses and get land approvals before embarking on projects to avoid falling victims of the law.
