LALONG INTERACTS WITH PLATEAU YOUTHS AT LARGER HOUSE

Governor Simon Bako Lalong paid an impromptu visit to the Larger house of Plateau Youths council today to interact with youths in the state. The Governor was welcomed by the Chairman of the larger house Chief Micheal Makwal who welcomed the Governor on behalf of the house and reminded him of his promises made about three years ago about restoring the Youths council embroiled in court cases that stalled elections, He applauded the Governor for keeping to his word and highlighted the myriads of challenges faced by the youths from Unemployment ,Drug abuse and other vices and pleaded the Rehabilitation of youth centers across the three zones of the state. . Dr Jemchang Fabong, Chairman of the Youth Council in his opening remark reminded the Governor of his plan for a youth commission during his campaign and appealed for assistance towards silver Dakun a plateau youth diagnosed with cancer of the blood. After series of questions from the youths the Governor responded by saying he is glad the youth council is back. " I feel proud to say I have the voice from the youths,Youths and women are always worried about employment, their future and environment" On employment the Governor response is "when we cane on board we had to battle with payment of abandoned arrears of salaries and I took it upon myself to concentrate on completion of projects abandoned,Pensioners and gratuities, we want to rescue our parents who are dying,vut While we do that we must also do something for the youths along with our cardinal points of engagement, employment and empowerment. It's difficult to get employment these days so the APC Government is focused on youth empowerment." he stressed " In Abuja I am in almost every committee and one of our reccomendations to avoid herdsmen attacked is to engage the youths skillfully in farming,Food security and agricultural empowerment and the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari is set to Injecr Billions of Naira to agricultural sector with the youths at the center of it all. About 1billion us dollars is to be release to that effect before end of the year. On Scholarship,Lalong said they met a Bulk of over seven years non payment. " we looked into the situation and resolved to pay in tranches as we cannot not pay all at once . I can guarantee that those with First Class we will train them up to PHD level" On the issue of Youth commission,The Governor asked the Youth council to submit the draft. "Youth center0 I am surprised to see the dilapidated state of the council, we will renovate it" The Governor promised to take care of the operation of Silver Dakun To be flown out immediately for treatment abroad. On Security "i was deeply involved as a speaker which led to a state of emergency, I am lained that there is no mutual understanding amongst people, Criminals stock in trade is to kill people,We are suppose to be security conscious and protect our land,it is the Understanding of the people that led to the peace we had when we came into Government, I received a text after my statements in Abuja about Benue and some threatened 'We will make your state ungovernable, security issues are politicised and it is not good for us." he said On his reelection bid, the Governor said he just came back from national assignment and he needs to rest and at the right time he will respond to the ultimatum of the APC Youth Online forum him to declare his intention to run. Makut Alfred Mashat