Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has taken decisive steps to address the hardships facing citizens by engaging in a heart-to-heart discussion with End Bad Governance protesters at the New Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos.
Governor Mutfwang, in a town hall meeting with coalition of youths, reassured them of his commitment to addressing their demands, emphasizing that the state can only achieve the dividends of good governance when citizens support the government and work collaboratively.
He explained that his entry into politics was driven by the desire to rectify the societal wrongs highlighted by the protesters which include the high cost of living, hikes in electricity tariffs, and the lack of quality healthcare and education services. He noted that these challenges were part of what motivated his decision to serve in public office.
The Governor outlined several measures his administration has already taken to alleviate the economic strain on Plateau citizens , including initiatives to support micro and small businesses.
He also pledged to enhance agribusiness opportunities to create more employment for the youth as well as signing into law electricity bill to enable the state generate its own electricity.
Governor Mutfwang highlighted the federal government’s intervention, which included about 29,000 bags of rice and sorghum distributed based on a template provided by the Federal Government to schools, orphanages, and other vulnerable groups.
He assured the youth that his administration would continue to uphold transparency, accountability, and inclusivity, by ensuring that every penny received is accounted for in the public interest.
Expressing gratitude for the peaceful nature of the protests, Governor Mutfwang described the youth as progressive and dynamic individuals committed to improving the standard of living in the state.
“I am deeply frustrated when I see children denied education due to insecurity, when lives are lost because people cannot afford healthcare, and when businesses struggle due to unaffordable electricity tariffs,” the Governor lamented.
He reassured the youth that his administration is committed to providing quality healthcare, improving education, enhancing security through robust intelligence gathering and advanced technology, and creating an enabling environment for lawful business activities.
The Governor also mentioned the government’s efforts to reorganize urban centers to attract investors and build community markets, to enable citizens run their businesses.
He elaborated on initiatives such as the acquisition of Metro buses and the resuscitation of the rail line in the state as part of efforts to ease the hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidies.
Governor Mutfwang also gave a breakdown of how federal monetary intervention were utilized, including paying counterpart funds for the Universal Basic Education program, which has led to the reconstruction and renovation of about 300 schools across the 17 local government areas. He also mentioned the servicing of debts from loans taken by previous administrations and investments in the NG-CARE program to attract more funds to the state.
The Governor assured the youth that his administration would do everything within its reach to address their concerns and promised to present their demands to the Federal Government.
Responding, representatives of the protesters, Ishaya Durkwa, Mildred Bakwo, and Sam Ode, outlined their demands and commended Governor Mutfwang for his exemplary leadership, the security agencies for their civility, and the protesters for their commitment to ending bad governance. Spokesman of the coalition of youths later presented a charter of demands to the Governor.
The Deputy Governor, Hon. Mrs Josephine Piyo, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Gabriel Dewan, Chief of Staff, Hon. Jeremiah Satmark, the Head of Civil Service, , Barr. Rauta Dakok and Commissioner of Youths and Sports, Hon. Bashir Lawandi among others were part of government functionaries who addressed the youths.
Gyang Bere
Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Executive Governor of Plateau State
11th August, 2024.
