OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR
PLATEAU STATE.
P.M.B. 2069, Little Rayfield, Jos, Plateau State
www.plateaustategov.org
TEXT OF A SPECIAL BROADCAST BY HIS EXCELLENCY, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE, RT. HON. SIMON BAKO LALONG TO THE CITIZENS OF PLATEAU STATE. TUESDAY 14TH AUGUST 2018.
Fellow Citizens,
IT IS WITH A DEEP SENSE OF HONOUR AND RESPONSIBILITY THAT I ADDRESS YOU TODAY ON ISSUES OF GOVERNANCE AS THEY AFFECT THE WELFARE AND GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE.
I MUST REITERATE THAT IN SPITE OF DAUNTING CHALLENGES, WE HAVE MADE REMARKABLE PROGRESS IN THE DIFFERENT SECTORS. WE GIVE GOD THE GLORY FOR THE COOPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE CITIZENS AND THE WORKING CLASS, WHO HAVE BEEN TOILING DAILY TOWARDS ENSURING THAT WE REACH OUR DESTINATION AND DELIVER ON OUR PROMISES.
IDEALS OF THE RESCUE ADMINISTRATION.
YOU WILL RECALL THAT IN MY INAUGURAL BROADCAST TO THE STATE ON 29TH MAY 2015, I MADE FAR-REACHING AND FIRM COMMITMENTS ON STRATEGIC POLICY ISSUES TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN LINE WITH THE YEARNINGS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE CITIZENRY. OVER THE YEARS WE HAVE TRIED TO CONSOLIDATE ON THE PEACE AND CONFIDENCE BUILDING PROCESSES, WHICH ARE PANACEA FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE AND DEVELOPMENT.
AS I EXPRESS APPRECIATION FOR THE GENERAL CONCERNS AND IMMENSE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE CITIZENS, I ASSURE THAT GOVERNMENT REMAIN COMMITTED TO THE FACT THAT ALL THOSE UNFORTUNATELY DISPLACED SHALL BE RETURNED TO THEIR HOMES. I HAVE RECENTLY SET UP A COMMITTEE ON THE RELOCATION, REINTEGRATION AND RESETTLEMENT OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPs) IN THE STATE. THE COMMITTEE HAS SINCE SWUNG INTO ACTION, AND GOD WILLING, WE SHALL ACHIEVE OUR GOALS. I THEREFORE URGE ALL CONCERNED TO COOPERATE WITH THEM AS THEY CARRY OUT THE ENORMOUS TASK.
UPDATE ON INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND INTERVENTIONS
SINCE THIS ADMINISTRATION CAME ON BOARD IN MAY 2015, WE HAVE BEEN COMMITTED TO REVAMPING CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN SECTORS LIKE AGRICULTURE, EDUCATION, HEALTH, COMMERCE, ETC. THE 22 NEW RURAL ROAD PROJECTS INITIATED AND SPREAD ACROSS THE 17 LGAs OF THE STATE ARE ON-GOING. ALTHOUGH WORKS HAVE SLOWED DOWN DUE TO THE RAINS AND OTHER CHALLENGES, THE CONTRACTORS HAVE SHOWN COMMITMENT TO RESUME WORK IN EARNEST, WITH FURTHER DETERMINATION TO COMPLETE WORKS BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR.
WE HAVE ALSO CONTINUED TO TREMENDOUSLY BENEFIT FROM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS IN KEY AREAS OF INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMMES. YOU WILL RECALL, DURING MR. PRESIDENTS 2 DAYS OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE STATE, WE MADE SOME REQUESTS, WHICH WERE CLOSELY FOLLOWED UP. I AM PLEASED TO REPORT TO YOU SOME POSITIVE RESULTS AS FOLLOWS:
APPROVAL FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF OVER TWENTY BILLION NAIRA (N20,000,000,000) WE HAD COMMITTED IN CONSTRUCTION OF VARIOUS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ROAD PROJECTS. WE ARE COMMITTED TO PLOUGHING BACK THIS MONEY INTO PROJECTS AND SOCIAL SERVICE DELIVERY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE IN LINE WITH OUR CAMPAIGN PROMISES.
THE FEDERAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL APPROVED THE SUM OF THREE HUNDRED AND FORTY-EIGHT BILLION, FIVE HUNDRED MILLION NAIRA (N348,500,000,000) FOR THE DUALIZATION PROJECT OF THE AKWANGA JOS BAUCHI - GOMBE ROADS. THE PROJECT IS BILLED FOR IMMEDIATE COMMENCEMENT FROM THIS MONTH. FURTHERMORE, THE LONG-AWAITED 45 KILOMETERS BABAN LAMBA SHARAM ROAD HAS BEEN AWARDED AT A COST OFN19.39 BILLION. THESE BENEFITS ALSO INCLUDE THE ON-GOING CONSTRUCTION OF THE PANKSHIN-TAPSHIN-GAMBAR-SARAKAI-GINDIRI ROAD.
THE MANGU DAM WATER PROJECT, COSTING NINE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-SEVEN MILLION NAIRA (N977,000,000) HAS HAD THE BALANCE OF THE CONTRACT SUM APPROVED FOR IMMEDIATE COMPLETION WITHIN THIS FISCAL YEAR.
PLATEAU STATE HAS ALSO BEEN LISTED AMONGST BENEFICIARIES OF THE TEN BILLION NAIRA (N10,000,000,000) PRESIDENTIAL PALLIATIVE FUND FOR DISPLACED FARMING COMMUNITIES, FOLLOWING VIOLENT ATTACKS AND CLASHES THAT HAVE LEFT US WITH LARGE NUMBER OF IDPs.
IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR, THE APPROVAL FOR FUNDING SUPPORT FOR ENHANCED POTATO PRODUCTION AND VALUE CHAIN PLACES THE STATE AT GREAT ADVANTAGE FOR THE MUCH-NEEDED AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION.
OTHER SPECIAL FUNDING SUPPORTS WILL COMPLEMENT OUR EFFORTS IN FAST-TRACKING THE RETURN AND SETTLEMENT OF THE AFFECTED COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS ESTABLISHMENT OF MOBILE POLICE OUTFITS IN CRISIS RIDDEN AREAS LIKE GASHISH.
WE REMAIN ETERNALLY GRATEFUL TO MR. PRESIDENT FOR THE DUE CARE AND ATTENTION ACCORDED BOTH THE CITIZENS AND STATE.
ELECTORAL AND SUNDRY MATTERS
THIS ADMINISTRATION REMAINS COMMITTED TO TACKLING ISSUES THAT TEND TO HINDER PROGRESS. WE APPRECIATE THE CONCERNS AND ANXIETIES OVER THE DELAY IN CONDUCTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS. THE DELAY IS NOT DELIBERATE AS SECURITY ISSUES HAVE HAMPERED OUR EFFORTS IN CARRYING OUT THE EXERCISE. HOWEVER, WITH RELATIVE PEACE RETURNING TO THE STATE, WE ARE EXTENSIVELY CONSULTING WITH THE SECURITY AGENCIES; AND AS SOON AS CLEARANCE IS GIVEN THE PLATEAU STATE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION (PLASIEC) WOULD SWING INTO ACTION AND CONDUCT ELECTIONS.
GOVERNMENT IS STILL MINDFUL OF THE ISSUE OF CLEARING THE BACKLOG OF NO WORK, NO PAY AND APPRECIATE THE PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THOSE AFFECTED. WE ASSURE THAT THIS WILL SOON BE CLEARED AS OUR REVENUE BASE IMPROVES; JUST AS GOVERNMENT REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROMPT PAYMENT OF SALARIES AND PENSIONS.
CREATION OF CHIEFDOMS, DISTRICTS AND VILLAGE AREAS
YOU WOULD RECALL THAT ON ASSUMPTION OF OFFICE, WE PROMISED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF CREATION OF CHIEFDOMS, DISTRICTS, VILLAGE AREAS AND REVIEW OF SALARIES AND WELFARE PACKAGES FOR TRADITIONAL RULERS IN THE STATE. THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEES THAT WERE SET UP HAVE COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED THEIR REPORTS TO GOVERNMENT, WHICH WERE IN TURN CAREFULLY STUDIED.
WITH GREAT REVERENCE TO THE TRUST BESTOWED ON US, WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE LONG-AWAITED CREATION OF CHIEFDOMS, DISTRICTS AND VILLAGE AREAS PLACES HIGH PREMIUM ON THE DESIRE OF GOVERNMENT TO UNITE THE PEOPLE UNDER ACCOUNTABLE TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS. RATHER THAN REMAIN AMBIVALENT IN THE FACE OF CONTROVERSIES, IT IS ONLY PROPER TO BE CONSCIOUS OF THE IMPERATIVE FOR CONTINUITY AND EMANCIPATION TO FULFIL THE YEARNINGS OF THE PEOPLE.
ACCORDINGLY, AS A DEBT OF HONOUR TO THE TEEMING POPULACE, GOVERNMENT HAS CONSIDERED AND APPROVED THE CREATION, UPGRADING AND RESTORATION OF NEW CHIEFDOMS IN THE STATE. HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS EXERCISE ARE AS FOLLOWS:
IN 2006, SOME NEW CHIEFDOMS WERE CREATED AND GAZETTED BUT WERE SET ASIDE BY THE IMMEDIATE PAST ADMINISTRATION, WITHOUT FOLLOWING DUE PROCESS AND APPROVAL OF THE STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY. THESE CHIEFDOMS ARE HEREBY RESTORED.
TWO EXISTING CHIEFDOMS HAVE BEEN UPGRADED FROM 2ND CLASS TO 1ST CLASS STATUS; NAMELY, THE ATEN CHIEFDOM WITH HEADQUARTER IN GANAWURI, UNDER ATAR ATEN OF GANAWURI; AND THE ANAGUTA CHIEFDOM IN JOS NORTH, WITH HEADQUARTER IN GWONG, UNDER UJAH ANAGUTA.
THREE (3) NEW CHIEFDOMS HAVE BEEN CREATED, NAMELY IBAAS IN BARKIN LADI, NGAS IN KANKE AND BYAN IN LANGTANG SOUTH.
DETAIL BREAKDOWN OF THE EXERCISE ACROSS THE 17 LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
JOS SOUTH LGA: The existing status quo of all Chiefdoms in Berom land remain and under the Chairmanship of the GbongGwom Jos with 1st Class Status.
JOS EAST LGA: The existing status quo of all Chiefdoms in Afizere land remain and under the Chairmanship of the AgwomIzere with 1st Class Status.
JOS NORTH LGA: The existing JOS IZERE CHIEFDOMwith Headquarter in KatonRikkos, under AdagwomIzere is now restored to 2nd Class Status.
BARKIN LADI LGA: A new Chiefdom, namely IBAAS CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in Ibaas, under DagwomIbaas is now created with 3rd Class Status.
BASSA LGA: The existing three Chiefdoms, namely Rukuba, Pengana and Irigwe maintain their statuses, under the Chairmanship of Utu Ugo Kithe, with 1st Class status.
BOKKOS LGA:
KULERE CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in Siken, under the SafKulere is restored to 2nd Class Status.
MUSHERE CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in Ikgwahap, under MishkahamMushere is restored to 2nd Class Status.
KANAM LGA: The existing two Chiefdoms, namely Jhar and Bogghom maintain their status quo of 2nd Class, under the Chairmanship of the Emir of Kanam Emirate with 1st Class Status.
KANKE LGA: A new Chiefdom, namely NGAS CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in KWALL, under Ngolong Kanke is now created with 2nd Class Status.
LANGTANG NORTH LGA: The existing Chiefdoms, namely, TAROH and ZINNI maintain their status quo with 1st and 2nd Class Status respectively, under the Chairmanship of PonzhiTaroh.
LANGTANG SOUTH LGA: A new Chiefdom, namely, BYAN CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in Mabudi, under PonzhiByan is now created with 2nd Class Status.
MANGU LGA:
PYEM CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in Gindiri, under the Sum Pyem maintains its 2nd Class Status.
CHAKFEM CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in Chakfem, under MishkahamChakfem is restored to 3rd Class Status.
JIPAL CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in Jipal, under Long Jipal is restored to 3rd Class Status.
MIKANG LGA:
YOUM CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in Garkawa under the MuoYoum is restored to 2nd Class from 3rd Class Status.
PIAPUNG CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in Piapung, under Long Piapung is upgraded to 3rd Class Status.
KOENOEM CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in Lafidi, under Long Koenoem is restored to 3rd Class Status.
PANKSHIN LGA:
PANKSHIN CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in Lannang, under Ngolong Pankshin is restored to 2nd Class Status.
MHISHIP CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in Chip, under Long Mhiship is restored to 2nd Class Status.
MUPUN CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in Lankan, under MiskhomMupun is restored to 2nd Class Status.
FIER CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in Fier under the Wela Fier is restored to 3rd Class Status.
TAL CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in Tal, under Ngolong Tal is restored to 3rd Class Status.
KADUNG CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in Kadung under the ReidengMakadung is restored to 3rd Class Status.
PAI CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in Pai under the Ngolong Pai is restored to 3rd Class Status.
QUAAN PAN LGA:
The existing KWO CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in Kwande, under Long Kwo is now regraded on 2nd Class Status.
The existing NAMU CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in Namu, under Long Jan is restored to 2nd Class Status.
RIYOM LGA:
The existing ATEN CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in Ganawuri, under Atar Aten is now upgraded from 2nd Class to 1st Class Status.
SHENDAM LGA:
The existing DOROK CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in UngwanDadi, under Long Dorok is now upgraded from 3rd Class to 2nd Class Status.
The existing JAKTOE CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in DokanTofa, under Long Jaktoe is restored to 3rd Class Status.
The existing DERTENG CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in GidanGaladima (Lunuwang), under Long Derteng is restored to 3rd Class Status.
WASE LGA:
WASE EMIRATE maintains its status and all the Chiefdoms in the LGA are under the Chairmanship of the Emir of Wase with 1st Class Status.
The existing BASHAR CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in Bashar, under Rekna Bashar maintains its 2nd Class Status.
KADARKO CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in Kadarko, under PonzhiKadarko is restored to 2nd Class Status.
MAVO CHIEFDOM with Headquarter in Mavo, under AkuJukun is restored to 2nd Class Status.
FELLOW CITIZENS, THIS IS A CONTINUOUS EXERCISE WITH RESPECT TO BRINGING GOVERNANCE TO THE GRASSROOTS ACROSS THE STATE. WE HOPE THAT THESE NEW CREATIONS, RESTORATION AND REGRADING WILL BRING GREATER CONFIDENCE AND ASSURANCE TO THE CITIZENRY OF A COLLECTIVE RESOLVE TO REMAIN UNITED AND PURSUE COMMON DEVELOPMENT GOALS.
FINALLY, AS I SINCERELY APPRECIATE THE CITIZENS FOR THEIR POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS, LET US CONTINUE TO WORK IN HARMONY FOR THE GREATER GOOD OF THE STATE. I ASSURE ALL CITIZENS THAT WE WILL NOT WAVER IN OUR COMMITMENT TO THE PLATEAU AGENDA, HAVING SWORN TO UPHOLD THE TENETS OF JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS IN THE DISCHARGE OF MY CONSTITUTIONAL DUTIES.
Thank you and God bless.
Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong
Executive Governor
