By Peter Akpah.

Virjman Nigeria limited open a mega filling station and eatery in jos along Domkatbali road down to low coast road the the managing director of the oil and gas company of virjman in an interview with journalist during the grand opening which was perform by Rev father Anthony and other well wishers express his gratitude to God almighty and he also said one of the main reason he open the filling stattion there is because he discovered that people from that area have to down to tudun wada road or dadin kowa to buy fuel and as such he felt to bring the services closer to the people and create more jobs opportunity to the youths of the area and also contribute his own quoter in bring more development in that area and also ease the stress of going far to buy fuel, he further said his is into oil and gas business for a long time after his graduation from the university and his father being into the business of oil and gas he has to add more ideas to the business and bring more comfort to the customers.

The MD Virjman in his words of encouragement to youths is to first discover where they are coming from and follow their dreams and focus,

Virjman Nigeria limited and a multinational company that has eateries, Bars to relax after buying fuel a lounge and also bakery, their pump is the best any where in jos all their filling stations has the best pump and also follow government regulation and standard and is situated along Lowcoast road after solomon lar amusement pack, Virjman a place to buy fuel with comfort.

By Peter Akpah.

Governor Simon Bako Lalong on Friday 15th January 2021 led other dignitaries to lay wreaths at the tomb of the unknown soldier located at the arcade by the Joseph Gomwalk Secretariat in Jos. Addressing the event attended by top Government officials and security heads in the State, Governor Lalong praised members of the armed forces for their sacrifices in protecting the territorial integrity of the country and intervening in domestic security.  Lalong said the sacrifices of the fallen heroes must not be left to go in vain as they gave their all for the security and safety of the citizens.  He said “let us continue to support our armed forces who are still in active service through every means as they deserve our love.

We should avoid condemning them over challenges that could arise in the cause of their duties. They are slefless and have done alot to restore security in many areas particularly in Plateau State. We are grateful for their  contributions and continue to pray for their souls to rest in peace”. Lalong assured that the State Government will continue to support members of the Nigerian legion and their families through empowerment and related programs. 

He also appreciated all security agencies and their families who continue to collaborate with the State Government in consolidating the peace and security of Plateau State.  Prayers were also offered for the repose of the souls of those who died in the service of the nation. The Governor later attended a reception at the Rhino Officers Mess of the Maxwell Khobe cantonment, Rukuba barracks. 

By Peter Akpah,

Again, a certain factional Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Plateau State going by the name John T. Akans came up with another of his usual attention-seeking rant in a press statement on 11th January 2021 purpotedly castigating the APC led administration of Governor Simon Bako Lalong (aka Governor alert) over the minimum wage protests by “local Government employees”.

In his diatrite, the factional spokesman again exhibited his compound ignorance, mischief and unknown to him, finally revealed the real “SPONSORS” of the supposed protests by “local government employees” which his PDP faction invented in continuation of its desperation to discredit Governor Lalong and the APC over the implementation of the new minimum wage in the State.

All along, we in the APC had suspected that the sponsored protests were political gymnastics aimed at causing chaos in the State for the benefit of some vested interests, but the PDP factional publicity Secretary has confirmed to all that his faction of the party (or perhaps the whole of it) was behind this failed expedition.

If not to save face that their sponsored protesters were finally dislodged and the mission deemed a failure, how can he refer to those who blocked strategic roads, causing enormous hardship to motorists and putting the fragile economy of the State into danger as “peaceful, law-abiding” Plateau Local Government workers? Or can he explain why for about a month his so-called peaceful protesters locked out the entire workforce of the State from the State secretariat over a dispute that has no relationship with State Government workers? Does he know the implications of loosing precious man hours and the economic consequences for the business of the State?

His “peaceful and law abiding” protesters did not stop there but criminaly engaged in house-to-house harassment, intimidation and threatening of Government officials and their families. They were at the residence of the SGS, Head of Service, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, Information and Communication and a host of others terrorizing their innocent children, wives, babies and nursing mothers and issuing all sorts of threats.

Curiously, these supposed “Local Government employees” did not for one day protest in front, or shut down of any of the 17 Local Government Secretariats in the State where they are supposed to direct their grievances. Neither did they visit the residence of any Local Government Council Chairman either in their LG headquarters or in the State capital. They were not even on strike which is the widely known avenue for aggrieved workers to withdraw their services in protest. What does the PDP factional spokesman take the people and Government of Plateau State for? Dumb or undiscerning? Does he think they public share the quality of their thinking and actions?

Now, Mr. Factional spokesman needs to explain who was providing the sumptuous meals, music, liquor and perhaps drugs to the protesters who were desparate in instigating another round of disturbance in the State which the wise and gentle Governor Simon Bako Lalong (aka Governor alert) refused to buy. Had he fallen for their antics, it would not have been only the exposed PDP faction that would be lamenting today, but they would have rented others to join them in playing the wailing script of condemnation just to get relevance whcih they lost long ago. We are wiser than this!

The PDP has been sulking ever since their attempt to disrupt the bye election for the Plateau South Senatorial District failed woefully. That is why they have turned their gun powder on anything that looks like an achievement of the Lalong administration by adopting their worn out and unintelligent tactics of lies, mischief, propaganda, fact-twisting and crying more than the bereaved. The people of Plateau State are not fools and can no longer be taken for a ride by a party they rejected and ejected from governance since 2015 which keeps using crude methods to return to relevance. They are disgusted that the PDP knew that they had no chance of winning the Southern Senatorial bye election and resorted to unleashing their sponsored thugs who blocked strategic roads including those leading to the southern zone in the days leading to the elections. They blocked Anguldi in Bukuru, Mangu, Shendam, among others even on the eve of the elections. All the time, they were chanting war songs, harrasing innocent citizens, raining curses and insults at the APC and Governor Lalong with the hope that it will give them electoral victory. They failed woefully because the people of the southern zone did not buy their lies. Today, Prof. Nora Dadu’ut is in the red chambers of the National Assembly as the people’s choice.

Of couse the sponsored protesters touched the tiger’s tail when they refused to vacate the arcade by the State secretariat for members of the Armed Forces to commence their rehearsals for the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance day parade and wreath laying. The armed forces are not politicians and would take none of it. They stood their ground depsite the attack by the supposed “peaceful Local Government protesters” of the PDP who even shot a soldier. At the end, many of them were arrested and after profiling, it turned out that majority were not Government employees nor even citizens of Plateau State. The real sponsors of the protests were now exposed and shamed. Yet, these are the people that the over zealous factional spokesman of the PDP referred to as “peaceful employees” seeking legitimate entitlements. Shame!

To save face therefore, the factional spokesman of the PDP engaged in his usual incoherent and pedestarn attacks on Governor Alert Lalong and the APC by alleging brutality against his “peaceful protesters” who in actual sense exhibited to everyone that they were anything but peaceful. To the public, they were “disruptive thugs” who wanted to cause chaos in the State but were largely ignored despite their provocative actions. The NURTW whose members suffered untold hardship and loses showed great restraint by not responding to the uncivilised blocking of roads for weeks.

Now, here is the summary of the facts amd verdict of the matter for you to take home Mr. Factional spokesman of the PDP.

1. Governor Lalong did not hold LG new minimum wage.
2. He has fulfilled his promise to be among the first to start to implementing the minimum wage (to State employees) in the country even when others with more money than Plateau are yet to implement. The process will soon be completed after the full negotiation is done with.
3. The Governor could not have negotiate for local government councils which are a separate tier of government and have their constitutional financial autonomy. He was prevailed upon by the genuine LG employees (not sponsored thugs) and the Chairmen to advice them, which he did albeit reluctantly. At the end they had to settle within themselves.
4. After the rigmarole and incitement by the PDP, the genuine Local Government employees sat with their Local Government Chairmen and resolved the matter (Check with ALGON and the unions for details please).
5. Governor Lalong did not brutalise any Local Government employee on peaceful protests. Rather, some thugs dared the armed forces and had to be arrested. Even if the Governor had ordered the arrest of the protesting thugs, he was in order as that is his constitutional responsibility, to maintain law and order as well as protecting lives and properties in Plateau State!
6. The Plateau State Government never asked the court to stop the agitation of Local Government employees for the minimum wage. Rather, it asked the court to order the employees to respect labour principles of negotiation (which the genuine workers did).
7. Local Government Autonomy is real in Plateau State. Governor Lalong has broken the jinx by doing what PDP Governments in the State refused to do in 16 years. It is another goal for the silent achiever. If you have facts to the contrary, bring it out than engage in your usual empty and unintelligent propaganda. We also challenge the factional PDP spokesman to prove otherwise.
8. Till date, Governor Lalong remains the darling of workers because he has kept faith with their wages and entitlements. He cleared all the 8 months arrears, no work no pay and others left behind by the PDP. He is also paying pension and gratuity which the PDP never contemplated even in the time of abundance. He has promoted thousands of civil servants with some getting promotions four times which were all denied them during the PDP era. He re-engaged about 2, 500 primary school teachers sacked by the PDP. Similarly, he re-engaged 100 PRTV staff that were sacked by the Government of the PDP. Factional spokesman, please keep off this area because the Lalong APC Rescue Mission has demystified your party’s incompetence and wickedness in this area!
   If the name Governor ALERT hurts you, you may have to bear it for a very long time because it is a name “earned” based on evidence and testimony of Plateau State workers. It is not one of those cheap things that politicians of the PDP scramble to buy all over the place just to get a false sense of acceptance and to massage their ego. Stop deceiving yourself because talk is cheap.
   We will like to caution the factional spokesperson of the PDP to stop playing politics with the salaries and wages of civil servants. His party did so in its 16 years sojourn and the consequences are before everyone to see. Governor alert Lalong believes in the biblical injunction that says “a worker is entitled to his wages” and remains determined to ensuring that no employee in Plateau State is denied his sweat.

Finally, and most critically, the factional spokesman should avail himself elementary courtesy on use of language and speech to people and the offices they hold and also strive to write intelligently his own script, rather than concocting (or being handed over) badly articulated lies to dumb on the public in the name of opposition. Governor Alert Lalong is very busy. Please dont distract him because he is busy working for a greater Plateau. Not everything is politics and this is how not to seek cheap political popularity and and sympathy of regaining lost relevance please!

Signed:
Bashir Musa Sati
State Secretary, APC Plateau State.
15th January 2021.

By Peter Akpah.

MEDICAL AND DENTAL CONSULTANTS’ ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (MDCAN)
PRESS RELEASE ON THE SELECTION OF VICE CHANCELLOR, LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY

The attention of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria has been drawn to recent stories in the media concerning the selection process for the office of Vice Chancellor (VC) of Lagos State University (LASU). MDCAN is particularly concerned by the termination of the process by the Visitor to the institution and Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, a process in which a Consultant Public Health Physician, an obvious target of the vicious and unconscionable media campaign of calumny, Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya stood in the clear lead.

It is of great concern to us that the number one candidate on the shortlist in the erstwhile process, who is a holder of the Fellowship of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) has been much maligned and portrayed in bad light with aspersions cast over his suitability for the post of VC, on account of his non-possession of PhD degree.

This is to acknowledge the forthrightness and knowledge base demonstrated the Governing Council of LASU concerning Postgraduate Medical Education of in rightly considering this candidate for the position of Vice Chancellor.

In view of numerous biased and sponsored publications canvassing for some candidates while putting others down, it has become imperative for our Association to state categorically the following:
a. The professional and academic qualification to be employed as a clinical lecturer in the University System in Nigeria is the Fellowship of NPMCN (or its equivalent).
b. The Fellowship along with evidence of academic productivity forms the basis of promotion of clinical lecturers up to the professorial cadre.
c. Possession of PhD for Clinical Lecturers is optional (non-obligatory) and does not apply as criteria for employment nor for career progression of Clinical lecturers in the Nigerian University system as expressly restated by the National Universities Commission (NUC) vide circular ref: NUC/ES/138/VOL.63/53 of 3rd of March 2020.
d. Several Fellowship holders are currently serving as Vice Chancellors in different federal and state universities in Nigeria. These include the present President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof I. A. O. Ujah, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, the VC of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo who does not hold a PhD. Prof B. B. Shehu, a Consultant Neurosurgeon, is also VC of Federal University, Birnin Kebbi. He is a Fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, and does not hold a PhD. Prof Aliyu Usman El-Naferty, a Consultant Obstetrician/Gynaecologist is the current VC of the Gombe State University; he is a Fellow and does not hold a PhD. Prof Chigozie Ogbu, is a Consultant Paediatrician, does not hold a PhD, and is the Vice Chancellor of the Ebonyi State University. Indeed, past occupants of the position in LASU have been Fellowship holders, including the recently deceased first Vice Chancellor Prof F. Olumide, a Consultant Surgeon and most recently, Prof John Obafunwa, a Consultant Pathologist who does not hold a PhD. Several Fellows of the College have also in the past held the position of Vice Chancellor despite not having a PhD. The immediate past Honorable Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole was Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, he is a Fellow and does not hold a PhD. The first Nigerian Vice Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1962 – 66), Prof. Ishaya Audu, was also a Fellowship holder who did not have a PhD. The list is endless, but it is pertinent to add that all have discharged themselves creditably.
e. The issue of equivalence of Fellowship and PhD does not arise because the two are entirely separate entities. The debate as to supremacy between the two is also of no consequence, for the same reason. The salient point is that the peculiarity of Medical Education and training is such that the highest Academic and Professional qualification for doctors is the Fellowship. This is also the only qualification that permits an academic to teach Medicine and Surgery in the University as no other degree suffices, including PhD. Importantly, the content, intensity and duration of the Fellowship training program is such that while PhD holders are employed into the University system as Lecturer II, holders of the Fellowship of the Medical Colleges are employed into the University as lecturer I (one step higher). This is extant and is verifiable from any Nigerian University or the NUC.
f. Whilst lobbying is an age long practice in selection to an office as highly esteemed as that of VC of a reputable University as LASU, the desperation and manipulation of public opinion that has characterised this particular exercise is condemnable and does not reflect the very high standards to which members of the academic community are held.
g. Given the above information, we are of the opinion that the Governing Council of the Lagos State University will remain steadfast in applying the rules appropriately as it did the first time with regards to consideration of Fellowship as the highest degree for Clinical teachers in the University system to avoid mistakes of the past that may provoke a long drawn crisis if any of the candidates, particularly those from the College of Medicine are disadvantaged on the account of non-possession of PhD.
h. The case between Nigerian Medical Association Plateau State, Prof IAO Ujah, and the University of Jos over exclusion on the basis of non-possession of PhD is still under litigation. It is our hope that the situation in LASU will not be allowed to degenerate to this.

We therefore call on the Visitor to the University, the Executive Governor of Lagos state, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Governing Council of the Lagos State University to ensure that the renewed process does not in anyway discriminate against our members on account of non-possession of the PhD.

Thank you for your attention,

Prof. Ken Ozoilo Dr. M. P. Chingle
President Secretary General

By Peter Akpah.

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong has called on state citizens to be more responsible in adhering to CVID-19 set guidelines as the number of cases and death has become more worrisome with the second wave of the pandemic now eminent, and he also called on the citizens to be security conscious and report any suspected person to the security agencies most especially with the raising cases of kidnapping in the state and vows to signed any dead sentenced on any kid napper in the state to set an example to other.

Lalong also seized the opportunity to set the record straight that he is not holding the salary of any local government and also worn those trying to politicised the issues of the workers salary to stop such act as it wont do them any good, various security agencies who are also present at the stakeholders meeting briefed the governor and other stakeholder the security situation in the stete,

Lalong stated this at an engagement with plateau stakeholders on the second wave of covid-19 and security issues held at the victoria Gowon hall, new government house, little Rayfield Jos, Today 13^th January

Below is the governors speech

I have invited you here again for us to rub minds on very important issues that border on the security and well-being of our people. I want to thank you for honouring this call which again demonstrates your commitment to the progress of Plateau State.

As you may be aware, we are experiencing the second wave of the corona virus pandemic where there is a resurgence of cases across the nation including here on the Plateau.

As a result of this, we are recording more daily cases in the State than previously. Sadly, we are also recording increasing number of deaths that is very worrisome. In the past weeks, we have seen some prominent persons in Plateau State and indeed across Nigeria die from COVID-19.

Mostly we hear of the big names but do not get to hear of the others involving people that are less prominent. This should give us serious concern because it means that the situation is bigger than what we seem to know.

Later on, I will allow the Commissioner of Health and representatives of the team of medical practitioners at the theater of COVID-19 response in JUTH and other treatment centers to share with us their experiences at the treatment centers and bring us the reality.

The most worrisome point here is that despite this situation, most citizens appear to be careless and reluctant to observe the COVID-19 protocols. In fact, many have abandoned and refused to observe simple protocols of wearing face masks, maintaining social distance and washing hands regularly.

This worries me a lot because this recklessness is further exposing more people to the virus and then increasing the casualty figures. While we have no intention of imposing another lockdown to avoid further damage to the economy, some members of the public are not helping us.

But I hope everyone knows that as a government, we cannot fold our arms to witness people dying over a situation that is largely preventable. I hope we shall see a change of attitude going forward as we resume more vigorous level of enforcement of all the protocols.

For those who are in denial and continue to misinform others that COVID-19 does not exist, I want to warn them to desist. I as the number one citizen of the State was a victim and God helped me to come out of it. I can tell you that it is not a joke and I do not wish even my enemies such experience.

That is why at the last State EXCO meeting, we decided to criminalize further denial of the disease in the State. In other words, if you deny the existence of the disease, keep your denial to yourself because if you are caught propagating it or instigating others to follow you, you will be arrested and prosecuted no matter how highly placed you might be.

Again, we have to re-strategize and embark on more education and sensitization particularly at the grassroots. The previous approach where we talk to stakeholders and expect them to take the message down seems to be less effective at the moment. Therefore, we are taking the message by directly engaging the people.

I have directed that my Commissioners and other senior government officials go down and engage the people henceforth. We want to break the resistance and ensure that the people own the response. COVID-19 is a personal matter that affects people directly. They need to be involved.

On the issue of vaccine, I have already heard some people peddling conspiracy theories. I want to say that I will be the first to take the vaccine whenever it is available in Plateau State. Let us be careful of promoting unsubstantiated rumors.

By the way, we are still hopeful that the drugs being developed by the Plateau State Medical Research Team which are currently undergoing clinical examination will pass the necessary approvals. This will also give us another option for prevention and treatment. At least, this is our own initiative and there is no conspiracy theory attached.

The next issue I want to address is the issue of security which as you know remains the first priority of our administration. We have continued to pay attention to the security of lives and property by adopting various measures to foster peaceful coexistence and also deal with crime and criminality.

I am aware of the incidences of kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes in some parts of Plateau State. The Government is working hard with the security agencies and stakeholders to ensure that the ugly incidences are tackled.

Last month, I signed the Anti-kidnapping, Land grabbing, Cultism and Violence-related matters bill passed by the State House of Assembly into law. By that law, anyone convicted of kidnapping in Plateau State will be sentenced to death while cultism and other violent crimes attract various terms of imprisonment.

Also in December last year, we inaugurated 595 Community Police constables who were trained and deployed to the 17 Local Government Areas to assist law enforcement agencies, particularly the police in intelligence gathering and other security operations. Now that it has taken off, I expect to hear from you how best we can domesticate and own the initiative at the grassroots.

Because security is a collective responsibility, I charge you to assist the Government sensitise and mobilise all citizens to always be security conscious and take measures to protect their vicinity against criminals. Apart from exposing them, they should also embrace techniques to provide the first line of alarm and defence before security agencies respond.

I have repeatedly said that I do not want to hear of any incidence of “unknown gunmen” terrorizing our people. We have to collaborate with the security agencies to ensure that we achieve this. They cannot do it alone. Now that we have community policing constables, we expect better security as we all support them to work.

You may be aware of the recent alert by the Department of State Services of a threat to cause inter-religious violence by some criminal elements. We have to take this alert seriously and ensure that we report any suspicious activity to the security agencies. I also advise our people not to succumb to the divisive antics of such elements who exploit the fault lines of religion, ethnicity, politics and other sectional interests to create chaos.

Finally, let me touch on the issue of the implementation of the new minimum wage for Local Government Employees. Although I understand that they have concluded negotiations on modalities for implementation, I still need to make a few clarifications because of the misinterpretation and misinformation out there.

Those who want to be objective and say the truth know that I will be the last person to frustrate the implementation of the new minimum wage to Local Government employees having been one of the first and few Governors to agree on its implementation. Besides, I was part of the negotiation at the Federal level after which other tiers of Government were advised to go and negotiate with their employees.

Following the prolonged clamour for financial autonomy of the Local Government system nationwide, the matter was finally resolved. As a result, I approved that Local Government autonomy in Plateau State should be implemented immediately.

Therefore, all funds belonging to that tier of Government go straight to them. It is therefore the duty of the Local Governments to negotiate the new minimum wage with their employees based on their capacity to pay. This is the same thing that happened at the Federal and State levels.

I was therefore shocked that despite my intervention to ensure that the matter was quickly resolved through a Technical Committee, the workers embarked on protests which caused hardship to other citizens. They have also called me unprintable names forgetting that I have a soft spot for workers.

I do not need to repeat what I inherited as their salary arrears for 8 months, unpaid “no-work-no pay”, promotions of over 20 years, among others when I took over. All these they seem to have forgotten because of politics. Let me again put it on record that I am not holding local government salaries and no one should therefore call me names.

As this engagement unfolds, I expect to get feedback from you and have some of my Commissioners and relevant officers intervene where necessary.

By Peter Akpah.

National President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Prof. Innocent Ujah on Monday 11th January 2021 led Executive Members of the body on a courtesy call to Governor Simon Bako Lalong where he scored the Governor high on development of healthcare in the State.

Prof. Ujah who has spent many years in Plateau State teaching and practicing medicine said the Rescue of Administration of Governor Simon Lalong has done what is unique by not only focusing on healthcare infrastructure, but developing manpower.
He commended the Governor for initiating the construction of mega health facilities in the three senatorial districts as well as continuing with inherited work on others which have been moribund for many years.
He said “We are very excited that you recently approved the employment of over 40 doctors and many other health personnel to boost the manpower of the sector. This is inspite of the economic situation of the country and the State. It is also on record that your administration has procured medical equipment for health facilities across the State and ensured that the Plateau Contributory Health Insurance Scheme and the Plateau Primary Healthcare Development Agency were established. This demonstrates your passion for healthcare delivery. We commend you and ask that you do more”.
Prof. Ujah also appealed to the Governor to look into other areas such as the implementation of the CONMESS which is at 83 percent at the moment. He also solicited the support of the Government towards the development of the National NMA Headquarters in Abuja as well as the training of more medical doctors from Plateau State to fill the gap that has continued to widen with the exodus of doctors from the country.
Governor Lalong while responding said he was delighted to have the NMA visit him under the leadership of Prof. Ujah who though originally from Benue State, is now the son of Plateau as he has spent most part of his professional life in the State.
He congratulated the NMA leadership and assured them that the Rescue Administration was committed to providing qualitative and affordable healthcare to the citizens particularly at the grassroots level.
Governor Lalong disclosed that apart from ensuring that health takes priority in the Lalong Legacy project, his administration also ensured that the abandoned hospitals in Riyom, Mabudi and Kanke and others are completed so as to give the people more access to healthcare.
The Governor further explained that his administration also worked for the establishment of the Faculty of health sciences at the Plateau State University Bokkos as a way of ensuring that more health personnel are trained to increase manpower. He disclosed that the construction of the new faculty has gone far as the teaching hospital is also being constructed in Shendam.
Lalong appreciated the medical professionals for sacrificing themselves in the fight against COVID-19 which has seen some of them infected and others losing their lives. A minute silence was observed for those who lost their lives, even as he again called for more sensitization among members of the public advising them to take precaution in the face of the second wave of the pandemic.
He assured them that the State Government was doing everything possible to ensure that the Plateau Health Research team led by Prof. Noel Wannang comes up with home grown solution to COVID-19 and other diseases. The three drugs developed by the team he said have passed pre-clinical stage and undergoing clinical trials before approval by relevant authorities.
The Governor also invited the doctors to invest in the State by establishing medical services as the State if focusing on becoming Nigeria’s headquarters for medical tourism giving its unique weather and hospitality.

By Peter Akpah.

GOVERNOR LALONG CONGRATULATES HON. DAN MANJANG @ 60

Governor Simon Lalong has felicitated with his Commissioner for Information and Communication Hon. Dan Manjang for attaining the landmark age of 60 years.

The Governor described Dan Manjang as a committed member of the Rescue Mission who has given his best in communicating the programmes and projects of the Government and also sanitizing the citizens towards greater participation in governance.

Lalong said Manjang is a media professional who has brought his experience, knowledge and versatility to bear in the service of Plateau State and Nigeria even at the face of challenges.

He urged him to continue to serve the State with more zeal, resilience and commitment particularly in engaging members of the public towards understanding and supporting the government to consolidate on peace, building, infrastructural development and sustainable economic rebirth.

He also wished him many more years of good health, peace and God’s protection.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
10th January 2021.

By Peter Akpah.

3 Suspects Caught In Bokkos In The Act Of Adulterating Bejafta Fertilizer

Three suspects caught in the act of adulterating Bejafta Fertilizer have confessed to Men of the Security and civil defence at the Jos headquarters of the security outfit after series of investigations.

Following a tip from an informant,the three men were nabbed at Bokkos Thursday market selling the fake products to unsuspecting buyers.

Magon Caleb Titus known as (Semu),Maton Solomon known as (Gunshot) and Sule Umar known as (Nasidi) confessed that they have been into the business of printing bags with the Bejafta brand.

They buy good quantity of limestone to add to original Bejafta Fertilizer and mix it to get more quantity,they said they use five original bags to make 20 bags after mixing it with the limestone.

Farmers have been complaining of low yield when the Bejafta Fertilizer plant went on a break of non-production for about a year.

The Plant resumed operations fully in September,2020

This arrest has pointed clearly how Bejafta,the farmers and consumers of the product have been subjected to financial sabotage by activities of the adulterators of the authentic award winning Bejafta Fertilizer.

Major farmers in Bokkos and Mangu have been complaining of low yield in the past two years.

Bejafta Fertilizer company have witnessed challenges in the last two years with internal and external forces that made the company stop production.

However,The Managing Director Jacob Makwal is optimistic that the company have put in a proper control mechanism to mitigate avoidable loopholes in it’s administration as the company is now consistent with daily inventory for an effective business activity.

The MD is advising all it’s costumers in Bokkos to buy the original and authentic Bejafta Fertilizer from it’s recognised dealers in Bokkos as he pleaded with the consumers to be patient as they see the case of adulteration to it’s logical conclusion with the security outfit handling the case at the moment.

Recognised Bejafta Distributord in Bokkos;

1.Alhaji Chabony -07034666665
2.Nenpal Integrated

To order directly from the Plant please call;
1.Dakon -08061184444
2.Precious -08055301306
3.Magit – 08138897400

The Federal Government recently launched the National Fertilizer Quality Control Act 2019 as a vital component of the Agricultural Policy of the present Administration and the bid to repositioning of Nigeria economy from oil and gas to agribusiness.

The Act will safeguard and protect the interest of the entire Fertilizer value chain players such as manufacturers, producers, blenders, importers, distributors and the end user farmers in Nigeria.

By Peter Akpah.

PLATEAU STATE GOVERNMENT

PROTESTS BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES: PUTTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT.

For over a month now, employees of Local Governments in Plateau State have embarked on protests, barricading the entrance of the Joseph Gomwalk Secretariat, blocking roads and causing untold hardship to the public as well as harassing Government officials by calling them names, threatening them and their families.

All this has been under the guise that the State Government has not implemented the N30,000 minimum wage negotiated and passed into law the Federal Government. This is totally incorrect as the State Government has since October 2020, commenced the implementation of the 30 thousand new minimum wage to its employees. Local Government employees on the other hand are yet to reach an agreement with their employers (Local Government Councils).

Having tolerated this ugly situation and done everything possible to facilitate the resolution of the grievances of the Local Government employees and their employers (Local Government Councils), the State Government rather than receive praise for its intervention, has been inundated with unwarranted assault, propaganda and campaign of calumny aimed at tarnishing its image.

In the light of the above, it has become imperative for the Government to put the records straight and leave the matter before the court of public opinion.

In the first place, it is common knowledge that the administration of Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG and by the special grace of God, the Chairman, 19 Northern States Governors’ Forum is labour friendly, especially when it comes to the payment of staff salaries, pension, gratuity and other emoluments. This has earned him the indelible name “GOVERNOR ALERT” bestowed on him by no other group than the entirety of Plateau State workers.

It is common knowledge that since he assumed office in 2015, salaries and pension in Plateau State have never been owed as they are paid as and when due. In fact, Plateau civil servants have become used to the sound of bank “alerts” from 23rd of every month.

Furthermore, time was before the life of this Government that the last administration could not pay salaries and pensions of civil servants for upward of eight months. However, all these were cleared by the administration of Governor Simon Bako Lalong without any fight. The same applied to “No Work, No Pay” arrears of salaries of about four months which was paid by this administration. As at today, the salaries of Plateau civil servants have been paid up to date despite the economic crunch and low earnings!

The Rescue Government of Simon Bako Lalong similarly showed magnanimity by recalling over 2,000 teachers who were sacked by the Jang administration after due consideration of their pleas. Not only that, Governor Lalong also ensured that the promotion and transfers of Local Government staff which was stagnant for about 2 decades was also carried out. Yet, these are the people today calling for the crucifixion of the Governor for no just cause.

As it stands today, the State Government does not have any dispute with its employees who patiently waited and negotiated for the implementation of the 30 thousand minimum wage which has commenced since October (even when some states have not even opened negotiations).

Therefore the conduct of Local Government employees who have embarked on a wild campaign of columny, mischief and misrepresentation of facts to the effect that the Governor is holding the implementation of its 30 thousand minimum wage is to say the least, most uncharitable and unfortunate.

It is common knowledge that Local Government employees are hired, disciplined, promoted and fired where necessary by Local Government Councils (their employers) and not the State Government. This is moreso when the implementation of Local Government autonomy has since commenced in Plateau State. The State Government which is a separate tier of Government has no responsibility for the implementation of the new minimum wage for Local Government staff and the Governor cannot force it down their throat. It is purely the business of Local Government Councils to negotiate with their employees based on their capacity to pay. This is exactly what happend between Federal Government and its employees as well as the States and its employees. If the Federal Government did not force the States to implement the new minimum wage, why do Local Government employees in Plateau State want the Governor to force the Local Government Councils to pay their employees when he has no control over their resources? Or should any State fail to pay the minimum wage to its workers, will they march to Abuja to seal off the Federal Secretariat?

For the Local Government employees to jettison this fact or pretend not to know but resort to blackmail, threatening and locking out State workers from the Secretariat for about a month, chanting political and war songs and other contemptuous behaviour is to say the least most unfortunate and regrettable.

Only they know what they stand to gain from locking down the State Secretariat and denying workers access to their offices as well as disrupting the economy of the State. They have been unreasonable to the extent that they forget that many citizens are just trying to recover from the COVID-19 lockdowns and curfews which impacted on their livelihoods. They are not on salaries but have to struggle to earn their living and also pay taxes that are appropriated to even pay Government workers including the protesters.

Moreover, the State Government took the civil path by approaching the National Industrial Court in Jos to ensure that the obstruction is stopped. An order was subsequently obtained wherein the Local Government employees were restrained from further protests and disrupting public peace.

Rather than the Local Government employees to obey a lawful court order, sheath their swords, or at least seek to vacate the order while the matter is being addressed by the joint committee mid-wived by the Governor which consists of their leadership and other union leaders, the Local Government employees escalated their agitation and further politicised it for reasons best known to them.

If they had gone to their respective Local Government Councils to protest or embark on labour actions such as withdrawing their services, many would have understood or even sympathised with them. But their action which is more political than a fight for their rights has become repulsive and devoid of public sympathy. Nobody will stop them if they have political ambitions and want to pursue it. However, they need to come out and embrace partisan politics rather than hide under minimum wage struggle only to disrupt the stability of the State.

The Plateau State Government would therefore, for the sake of clarity and emphasis, again state categorically as follows:

a. That the administration of Governor Simon Bako Lalong recognises that there are three tiers of Government in Nigeria, in this case, Local, State and Federal. The Governor is irrevocably committed to ensuring the that these tiers of Government particularly the Local Government enjoy their financial independence and other provisions of the autonomy.

b. That as far as the employment, discipline, promotion and payment of salaries and emoluments of Local Governments is concerned, the onus rests squarely on the shoulders of Chairmen and Management Committee Chairmen of the various Local Governments while the Governor has the responsibility of ensuring that State Civil Servants are paid as and when due. He has never failed!

C. That the Governor has done everything possible as a father to wade into the lingering crisis but the Local Government Staff have continued to stifle this effort, even when their Union officials have advised them to give them a chance to negotiate the matter. They rather prefer to play to the gallery and misinform the gullible while allowing clandestine interests to use them for pecuniary motives.

d. In view of the above, the Plateau State Government under the leadership of His Excellency Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG hereby advises Local employees to redirect their grouse to the right channel which is the Local Government Councils. It is their sole responsibility to negotiate and implement not only the minimum wage, but other allowances they wish to offer them. This is moreso, that the allocation of Local Government is paid directly into the accounts of the Local Governments by the Federal Government and not warehoused with the State Government.

e. That the unwarranted attacks, misinformation and mischief of the Local Government employees aimed at tarnishing the good name of His Excellency, the amiable worker-friendly Governor Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, a.k.a GOVERNOR ALERT, is unnecessary and a great act of treachery and ingratitude for all he has done to improve their conditions. Despite that, he has greatest respect for the workers which he has consistently demonstrated since he came into office and is committed to sustaining it.

f. That the State Government appeals again to the Local Government employees to show maturity and understanding by interfacing with their employers (Local Government Councils) as henceforth, no disruption of public peace or Government activities will be tolerated.

LET US ALWAYS THINK AND ACT PLATEAU

Signed:

DAN MANJANG,
HONOURABLE COMMISSIONER,
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION

By Peter Akpah.

Plateau LGAs’ Protest: Workers Appeal to Members to Suspend Action Over Minimum Wage

*Alleged highjack of protest by opposition politicians, hoodlums

*Say protest now turned into 2023 campaign

*Withdraw from action to allow relevant bodies negotiate with concerned stakeholders, they charged

*Urged govt to sustain negotiations with stakeholders, declare own position

AS local government workers in Plateau State continue street protests against the state government’s non implementation of the new minimum wage at the council level,a group of their colleagues under the aegis of Plateau Concerned Local Government Staff Forum (PLALOCAF) has appealed for suspension of the action.

PLALOCAF said its appeal for suspension of the action was based on the ground that the protest meant to draw attention of the state government to the deplorable plight of workers at the council level and push for implementation of the new minimum wage at the state’s local government level,had been hijacked by opposition politicians and hoodlums alike for selfish reasons.

Besides, the group of alleged that the protest has become an avenue for the desperate opposition politicians to feather their nest,adding that the development had been turned into campaigns for the 2023 elections.

A statement on Friday, and signed by representatives from the three senatorial districts of the state,the group called on members to withdraw from the action to allow relevant bodies negotiate with the government towards amicable resolution.

In the statement signed by Mr Pam Bot for Northern Zone, Nde Patrick Gomos for Central Zone and Sir Birtrus Nanven for Southern Zone, the group charged the state government on the other hand, to sustain negotiations with stakeholders and declare its own position to the aggrieved workers.

“We, the entire management and members of Plateau State Concerned Local Staff Forum (PLALOCAF), came together to issue this statement after a critical and painstaking analysis of the over one-month old strike protest embarked upon by our members and the circumstances that led to the protest.

” We observe with regret that protesters have continuously blocked the entrance to the Plateau State Secretariat for over three weeks, thereby preventing civil servants and other legitimate income earners access to the secretariat for their legitimate business.

“This is illegal and worrisome. This development which we have found to be sponsored by some self-seeking and desperate opposition politicians in the state is a threat to peace and stability of the state,” the group said.

The statement further read:”While we admit that local government staff have absolute rights to protest over their grievances, we must state without fear or favour that the protest have been hijacked by some failed politicians who are out to get at the government of Governor Simon Bako Lalong at all cost. We must not allow that.

“This act negates the purpose and intent of this protest and we are appealing to all members to call off the protest without further delay and allow our umbrella body NULGE, negotiate with the state government and other stakeholders.”

PLALOCAF said:”Our message has been passed to the government at all levels and from the engagement held between government and our leadership,we, the concerned members are satisfied with the feedback from our leadership and we hereby withdraw from protest immediately.”

It added:” We appeal to our all colleagues to stand down the protest and allow our leadership engage with the government and other stakeholders for an amicable solution.”

“Plateau belongs to all of us irrespective of our political, religious and ethnic alignments, the unity, peace, and stability of the state should be paramount to us and not our interest alone.”

“We can only eat and sleep in peace when there is peace. Collecting money, food and other supplies from opposition politicians, and allowing thugs who are not local government staff to infiltrate us is not only dangerous but a serious threat to peace and unity of our state.”

It said: “The blocking of the entrance of the state secretariat by our members during the protest was agreed just to be for three days, to pass a strong message to government but all of a sudden, politicians started sponsoring some of our members and sending in thugs to protest with us. What is really the interest of these politicians?”

According to the workers,”Our continued blocking of the state secretariat is like stopping the engine of a car that has full passenger inside by a particular passenger.”

“The implication of this is that everyone will suffer including the person that stopped the car.”

” It is so sad that we even turned back some non civil servants who go to the secretariat to earn their legitimate living! How will they feed their families?”. They asked.

” We turn back people going to secretariat to process deaths and pensions benefits for their loved once all because we are protesting? Is everyone supposed to go hungry because we have not been paid minimum wage?” The statement read.

According to the statement, ” It is now clear that there is a sinister motive, which is the politics of 2023.”

“Consequently, we are pulling out from this protest immediately. We appeal to all our members to stand down the protest before hoodlums further infiltrate our ranks and make the state ungovernable. Let’s manage the fragile peace in the state,” it said,as it called on “security agencies to put in place close surveillance measures to avert any eventuality.” They are urged to deal decisively with hoodlums or others that may want to break the law or infringe on the rights of law abiding citizens of the State.