The Task Force to Evict Illegal Occupants of old site of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) will commenced on the spot prosecution of squatters/illegal occupants around the site on Tuesday 15th August, 2023.
This was disclosed by the Chairman of the Task Force who is also the Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice Plateau State, Hon. Philemon Audu Daffi during a press briefing in his office on Monday.
The Chairman stated that the Plateau State Government intended to give the recently approved Orthopedic Hospital granted the state a befitting environment and atmosphere to operate and give the people of the North Central Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria a world-class health facility that would be second to none in the country.
He explained that it was on the basis of this that the Executive Governor of Plateau, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang inaugurated the Committee on 31st July, 2023 for the aforementioned purpose to enable the Orthopedic Hospital have a facility for a seamless takeoff. “And in doing that, Government found the site of the Old JUTH suitable, since the Jos University Teaching Hospital, having developed its permanent site, has handed over the State Government’s property back to the state.
Daffi added that the Committee which has four weeks to complete its assignment, was given terms of reference which among others include:
(i) Determining the legal occupants of the facility, if any
(ii) Identifying all the illegal occupants of the facility(iii) Evicting all illegal occupants forthwith,(iv) Decongesting the surrounding of all illegal structures) occupants to ensure smooth flow of traffic in the area, et al.
He further stated that being a listening and compassionate government, they have deemed it necessary to let the populace know of government’s intentions and the need cooperate to make their goal of having a conducive environment for the hospital a reality.
The Task Force Chairman further revealed that in the course of carrying out it’s duty, the Committee found operators of buses, and tricycles (Keke Napep) using the frontage of the hospital as their park.
He said that following an interface with the leadership of their Unions, the former bus park at the burnt Jos Main Market was given to them temporarily to use as a stopgap.
“In the course of our assignment, we have met and interfaced with all the major stakeholders, and given all the squatters/Illegal occupants of the hospital and its environs an underserved one (1) week notice of our intention take over our facility and evict them”.
He said that in the light of the above, the Chief Judge of the State has already constituted a mobile court to prosecute all defaulters on the spot.
Similarly, all security agencies, according to the Taskforce Chairman have been mobilized to enforce compliance and establish their presence within the facility.
“As such, at the expiration of the one (1) week notice, which is tomorrow, Tuesday 15th August 2023, we will commence enforcement of the notice.
“Permit me at this juncture, to state that this action will be taken without prejudice to any person, organization or group, but in the interest of the people of Plateau State and North-Central Geo-Political zone of the country, as well as the multiplier effects that citing such institution will bring to us.
“We cannot allow pecuniary interest of a few to override or jeopardise that of the majority”.
Consequently, the Chairman called on the people especially those within and around the Old JUTH premises to cooperate with the Committee saying that no stone shall be left unturned to achieve the purpose for which the Task Force was set to achieve.
