Plateau State Governor Barr. Caleb Mutfwang has reiterated his commitment to peace and prosperity which he said remained the pillars of his administration.
He cited decisive measures such as the revival of Operation Rainbow, prompt convening of the State Security Council and the establishment of a modern security and information center to enhance statewide safety.
Mutfwang stated this during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Nigerian Guild of Editors in Jos yesterday.
He expressed gratitude for their support during the legal battles that upheld his mandate, acknowledging the media’s balanced reportage for shaping fair perceptions about Plateau at a critical time.
The governor highlighted some of his strides in governance, peace-building and infrastructure renewal while strengthening relations between the state and the media.
Speaking on infrastructure, Mutfwang enumerated some of the progress made in the 17 local government areas, including 380 kilometers of rural roads under the World Bank-assisted RAMP project and the completed Utong-Kong flyover.
He assured that strategic investments in roads, markets, agriculture and industry would diversify Plateau’s economy beyond federal allocations.
Education, he said, was receiving special attention, with a 50 percent tuition reduction for indigene, a 300 percent increase in scholarships, and interventions that rescued tertiary institutions from collapse, all aimed at preparing Plateau’s youth for global competitiveness.
On health care, Mutfwang cited upgrades at the Plateau Specialist Hospital and the expansion of health insurance coverage from 93,000 to 208,000 enrollees, reaffirming his determination to make Plateau a model of affordable and quality health services.
He described agriculture as the backbone of his prosperity agenda, saying the sector was being revitalised through partnerships with IITA Ibadan, the revival of BARC Farms, improved livestock breeds, feed production, and plans for a modern abattoir with a 500-cattle daily capacity.
The Governor also highlighted the renewed investor confidence in Plateau’s tourism and commerce sectors, with redevelopment efforts at Plateau Hotel, Hill Station Hotel, and Jos Wildlife Park through private-sector partnership adding that tourism would once again be a pillar of the state’s economy.
Responding to questions later, Governor Mutfwang addressed employment, security, and agricultural reforms. He pledged transparency in future recruitments, explaining corrective measures on suspended appointments inherited from the previous administration, and vowed to combat land-grabbing in border communities.
On agriculture, he acknowledged the challenges of market glut caused by massive food imports and assured that innovative measures are being explored to boost local production, processing, market access, and fully harnessing Plateau’s comparative advantage in agricultural value chains.
NGE president, Eze Anaba while speaking on behalf of the delegation praised Mutfwang’s peace initiatives and the revival of the Nigerian Standard newspapers, saying Plateau’s unique story must continue to be told by its own people.
He commended the administration’s effort to restore calm across previously troubled communities.
