‘We’ve not forgotten you’ – Governor MUTFWANG reassures IDPs

Thursday, May 29, 2025 - Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has reassured displaced persons in the State that the government has not forgotten them, but is working in collaboration with the Federal Government and development partners to resettle and rebuild broken communities.

Mutfwang gave the assurance during a statewide broadcast to mark his second year in office.

He said, “My fellow citizens, the last two years have tested us. We faced legal distractions that sought to derail the mandate you freely gave us.

“We endured the pain of continued attacks on our rural communities, the burden of a broken economy, and the scars of many years of neglect. But through it all, we did not falter. We kept faith. We stayed the course. And we have begun to see the signs of a new Plateau—the Plateau of our dream.

“We have taken bold and deliberate steps to secure lives and property. Working closely with federal authorities, we have revitalized Operation Rainbow for intelligence gathering, launched an Emergency Communications Centre with a toll-free line to ensure rapid response across the State,” he explained.

“We are supporting our security agencies and local communities to ensure that peace returns to all our towns and villages. We have also established the Plateau State Activity Centre, equipped with modern technology for the purpose of surveillance across the state,” the governor maintained.

“In the civil service, we have restored dignity and hope. We cleared the four and a half months’ salary arrears we inherited, resumed regular payment of salaries, gratuity, and pensions since 1984, restored promotions and training, and reconnected government offices to electricity for effective service delivery.

“I am proud to say that Plateau workers are fast regaining their pride and the desired motivation to serve our beloved state.

“On the economic front, we have made significant gains with the introduction of our Tin City Metro transport service that is transforming urban mobility in Jos and Bukuru Metropolis.

According to him, “The initiative is creating jobs, subsidizing the burden of transportation for about 9,000 passengers daily, which translates into a subsidy of about ₦39,000 per person monthly.

“Just a few days ago, we added 15 more brand-new additional buses to the fleet, bringing the total to 30. To facilitate interstate travel, we have also procured many Toyota Sienna vehicles and refurbished several others to ply the Jos–Abuja corridor and other routes.

Speaking further, the governor said, “Our transportation agenda is not confined to roads alone. We signed a Memorandum of Understanding with ValueJet Airlines to provide thrice-weekly Jos–Abuja flights and Lagos–Jos flights.

“Furthermore, we partnered with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to revive rail transport, providing a cushion against the effects of fuel subsidy removal. In the coming days, this service will be commissioned, opening a new chapter in Plateau’s economic transformation.

“Agriculture has received a major boost with the recovery of over 900 hectares of land belonging to IDPs.

“The distribution of fertilizer and other farming inputs worth ₦16 billion, and the training of hundreds of young farmers in modern agricultural businesses have been accomplished.

“Recently, we also signed an MoU with the famous research institute, IITA, Ibadan, to train our youth in Agri-Business as well as acquire skills across the agriculture value chain. We are also working closely with international partners to establish agro-processing hubs across the State for improved agricultural value-chain and industrialization,” he maintained.

“Your excitement over the roads that are being fixed motivates us. Projects are ongoing across the state to reconnect our people, boost commerce, and promote tourism. Most of these projects have either been completed or are ongoing. Some roads, untouched for decades and especially since the last PDP administration, have been rehabilitated.

“I can confidently inform you that the Road Maintenance Agency has rehabilitated about 111 km of urban roads as part of our Urban Infrastructure Renewal Programme.

“Similarly, over 3,000 km of roads that were initiated by the Jang administration, but abandoned subsequently, are presently being constructed by the Ministry of Works, among other developmental strides.

“To every community that has suffered loss, I assure you that we have not forgotten you. We are working in collaboration with the Federal Government and development partners to resettle displaced persons and rebuild broken communities.

“We continue to engage with the Federal Government and donor agencies to bring relief, justice, and long-term peace.

“Fellow citizens, these achievements are only the beginning. We are building a solid foundation for the Plateau of our dreams: a just, united, and prosperous State where every citizen has a sense of belonging and opportunity,” he stressed.