Rwang Pam Township Stadium venue of the swearing in ceremony of the governor-elect of Plateau State Barr. Caleb Mutfwang and his deputy Hon. Josephine Piyo was filled to capacity with thousands of party supporters, family members, friends and well-wishers to witness the event.
The chief judge of the state, Justice David Gwong Mann administered the oath of office on the governor and his deputy at exactly 1.45pm.
The outgoing deputy governor Prof Sonni Tyoden handed over transition documents to the new governor. After the oath taking, Mutfwang said his administration would be committed to peaceful coexistence and will work assiduously to secure the boundaries of the state.
He said, “I will be firm, but fair and just to all regardless of political, ethnic or religious inclination. Fairness, equity and justice shall be our watchwords. Criminal elements/invaders hell bent on destruction will be decisively dealt with.”
Mutfwang warned that crisis merchants will not go unpunished adding that his administration will be strong on the rule of law to ensure that criminality under whatever guise is curtailed.
According to him, campaigns are over and the gear has shifted to governance. “Let us join hands despite our political differences to build the Plateau of our dreams.
Again, I extend a hand of friendship to the governorship candidates of other political parties in the last general elections, alongside their supporters to join me in the quest for a new Plateau,” he said.
He said his team will bequeath rich legacies that will live long in the hearts of the people and will be committed to peace and security, adding that security of lives and property will be of great importance to his administration as enshrined in the constitution.
Mutfwang said he will constitute a standing committee that will shoulder the responsibility for the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and deepen the operations of Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA) and strengthen community relations using mechanisms that promote mediation and dialogue-centred approach to conflict prevention and resolution and explore all means possible within the constitutional provisions to secure the people.
On the economy, he said they envisage Plateau State to be the economic and commercial hub of Northern Nigeria, leveraging on its natural endowments by creating a friendly environment and ease of doing business for all business persons.
He added that as signatory to the Open Government Partnership, his administration will improve the efficiency of the public service in line with global best practices and deliberately explore Public Private Partnership (PPP) as a philosophy for the development of all critical sectors.
