PLATEAU STATE EXCO HOLDS LAST SESSION FOR 2020

By peter Akpah.

Governor lalong addressing the last session for 2020

PLATEAU STATE EXCO HOLDS LAST SESSION FOR 2020

At its last Executive Council Meeting for the year 2020, Plateau State EXCO sat for about 4 hours to decide on a variety of issues.

The meeting held at the EXCO chambers of the new Government House Little Rayfield Jos and was presided over by Governor Simon Bako Lalong with some of its members joining virtually.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Commissioner for Information and Communication Dan Manjang together with his colleagues for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs Sylvanus Tapgun, Chrysanthus Ahmadu Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Regina Soemlat, Commissioner for Finance, and Engr. Sunday Hyat, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works gave highlights of the decisions reached at the meeting.

They said EXCO was briefed on the upsurge in Covid-19 cases in the State and resolved that there shall henceforth be exercise of prosecution order to deal with violators of the guidelines for the pandemic. For the time being, there is no contemplation of lockdown of the State. Therfore, the denial of the existence of COVID-19 in Plateau State will henceforth be criminalised.

EXCO also mandated the reawarding of contracts for some road projects earlier revoked. They include Tahoss/Ganawuri Road; Mangu bye-pass road; Shinkwan/ Tunkus/Shendam bye-pass as well as the rehabilitation of Kwande Biem-Biem road formally awarded to PW.

Also approved is the supply of official vehicles for various Government officials who have not been given official cars since they were appointed over one year ago.

The council also gave approval for an Executive bill to be sent to the Plateau House of Assembly plateau State on the creation of the Plateau State Investment Promotion Council.

To facilitate better pursuance of the Rescue Mission, council also inaugurated sub-councils arising from the Executive retreat earlier held in the year which will henceforth
deliberate on memos before being taken to EXCO. They include Shared services; Human capital; Economic and finance and Physical Infrastructural Development.

On the implementation of the new minimum wage at the Local Government level, Council frowned at the way Local Govt Staff have resorted to intimidating, blackmailing and threatening the State Government over the wages of another tier of Government.

The Council reafirmed that it is the sole responsibility of the Local Governments to hire, fire, renumerate and discipline their employees based on their terms.

The Council advised Local Government Chairmen to take responsibility of negotiating with their staff now that they are fully autonomous.

Council frowned at the manner the Local Government workers have taken for granted the magnanimity and benevolence of the Governor to intervene in the negotiations by not only turning down various options to resolve the matter, but going ahead to blackmail the Governor and other State Government officials.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
31st December 2020.

GOVERNOR LALONG’S NEW YEAR MESSAGE

By peter Akpah.

Governor Simon Bako Lalong has congratulated Plateau State citizens Nigerians for witnessing the year 2021.

The Governor in a message said despite the challenges of the outgone year, Nigerians should be optimistic and pray for recovery and progress.

Lalong said the economic challenges brought about by COVID-19 and recession can only be overcome by deliberate synergy between the Government, private sector and citizens in pursuing set objectives that will create opportunities for recovery and growth.

He said “We must all join hands together to overcome COVID-19 which adversely affected our economy last year remains a threat that could cause disruptions in the new year because of the second wave. While Government intensifies action in tackling the disease, the citizens must take personal responsibility for their health and and that of others by strictly observing COVID-19 protocols at all times. Government shall not hesitate to take serious measures that will ensure that we avoid another lockdown due to the pandemic”.

On security, the Governor said with the training and deployment of the first batch of community police constables, his administration will invest more in intelligence gathering and preventive measures by fishing out criminals before they wreck havoc.

He promised that the Government will continue to support the conventional security agencies to apprehend and prosecute criminals particularly on crimes relating to kidnapping, cultism, land grabbing and other violent crimes using the law that he recently signed to curb such occurrences.

Governor Lalong further restated the commitment of his Rescue Administration in human capital development through training and empowerment of youths and women and other groups in various entrepreneurship schemes both initiated by the State and Federal Governments.

Lalong wished the citizens a prosperous new and also pledged that his administration will continue with the construction of physical infrastructure including the Legacy Projects currently going on in the three Senatorial Districts.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
31st December 2020.


Pete Akpah.e
FESTIVE SEASON: HIGH CHIEF DR SELKY KILE TORUGHEDI (GEN YOUNG SHALL GROW)HAILS NIGERIAN YOUTHS SUES FOR SAFETY DURING CELEBRATIONS

High Chief Dr Selky Kile Torughedi (General Young Shall Grow) has called on Nigerian Youths at Home and in Diaspora to consider the 2020 Yulitide Celebration as the celebration of the strength and tenacity of Nigeria as a Nation and a reminder that greater days beacon. Dr Selky made this known during an interactive session with journalists and some youths in his Palace in Abuja.

Dr Selky in his remark thanked Nigerian Youths for their steadfastness and unity displayed from the North to the South, East to the West on the country in their fight against injustice, especially the peaceful ENDSARS protests that led to the scraping of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) across the Federation.

Dr Selky hailed the strength and tenacity that Nigerian Youths have displayed in the outgoing year 2020, which according to him tested the resolve of Nigerian Youths in every conceivable way.

According to Dr Selky the health, economy, polity and religious aspects of Nigerians were tested by the out break of the deadly CORONA Virus (COVID-19), but expectedly, Nigerian Youths came out stronger.
He stressed that the strength of the health sector are the Nigerian Youths, hence there is need to improve working conditions to ensure that the war against the spread of COVID-19 is won. He cautioned that Youths to observe Physical & Social Distancing, always use Face Masks and observe proper hygiene during the Christmas and New Year Celebration.

On the economy, Dr Selky pointed out that Nigerian Youths have displayed uncommon determination and unity in ensuring that they recover their means of livelihood which was badly affected by the effects of lockdowns put in place earlier in the year. He hailed Nigerian Youths for showing determination in restarting their businesses, efforts which according to him have gone far in helping the Nigerian Economy recover and prosper the entire country.

Dr Selky urged Nigerian Youths to remain prayerful and united ahead of the new year 2021 which according to him holds greater promises than 2020. He stressed his optimism that the efforts of Nigerian Youths exerted in 2020 will filed more fruits in 2021 as God will continue to bless and support their efforts. He called on them to love themselves and be their brothers and sisters keepers for the peace and development of Nigeria.

Dr Selky charged Nigerian Youths to be security conscious at all times and report any suspicious movement around them to help the Federal Government and Security Agencies protect lives and property in their neighborhood from those who do not mean well for Nigeria. He called on them to support the military and paramilitary agencies in safeguarding the streets, highways and water ways in this festive season.

Dr Selky used the opportunity to sympathize with the families of all young people who lost their lives during the course of the year 2020, especially those who lost their lives to COVID-19 and the #EndSARS protests across the country. He empathized with their families and prayed God to grant their souls eternal rest. He prayed that the sacrifice they have paid will not go in vain.

Dr Selky wished all Nigerians Safe Travels as they travel across the country in this season to celebrate Christmas and New Year.

Pete Akpah

Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) have continued to dominate the Joint Operational Area with aggressive patrols and sustained coordinated operations against kidnappers, armed and bandits

.

On 24 December 2020 at about 8:00am, troops of OPSH following a tip off arrested a notorious armed robbers, Mr Samaila Bayers at Bayan, Gidan Waya in Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Similarly on the same day, at about 11:11pm, the gallant troops also swiftly responded to a report of sporadic shootings around Kamuru Chawai Ward, Damakasuwa District in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The timely response by the troops forced the bandits attempting to attack Angwan Rimi Village to abandon their mission. The clearance operation is still ongoing to deny the armed bandits freedom of action
In a related development, on 24 December 2020, at about 8:00pm, troops of OPSH on patrol responded to an armed robbery attack on a private Sharon Vehicle heading from Abuja to Dogon – Fili, along Road Aboro in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The armed robbers ran out of luck as the troops neutralized one of them while other escaped with gunshot wounds. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the escaped armed robbers. Sadly, the criminals had shot the driver of the vehicle, Mr Richard Sabo before arrival of the troops.
All major routes in and out of the operational area are manned by troops and dominated by patrols to prevent attacks and robbery incidents as much as possible.
OPSH therefore assure the populace within its JOA of its determination ensure peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations in its operational area. Law abiding citizens are encouraged to give timely information to help the troops respond effectively .

OPSh



Pete. Akpah


Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) have continued to dominate the Joint Operational Area with aggressive patrols and sustained coordinated operations against kidnappers, armed and bandits.

On 24 December 2020 at about 8:00am, troops of OPSH following a tip off arrested a notorious armed robbers, Mr Samaila Bayers at Bayan, Gidan Waya in Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Similarly on the same day, at about 11:11pm, the gallant troops also swiftly responded to a report of sporadic shootings around Kamuru Chawai Ward, Damakasuwa District in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The timely response by the troops forced the bandits attempting to attack Angwan Rimi Village to abandon their mission. The clearance operation is still ongoing to deny the armed bandits freedom of action

In a related development, on 24 December 2020, at about 8:00pm, troops of OPSH on patrol responded to an armed robbery attack on a private Sharon Vehicle heading from Abuja to Dogon – Fili, along Road Aboro in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The armed robbers ran out of luck as the troops neutralized one of them while other escaped with gunshot wounds. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the escaped armed robbers. Sadly, the criminals had shot the driver of the vehicle, Mr Richard Sabo before arrival of the troops.

All major routes in and out of the operational area are manned by troops and dominated by patrols to prevent attacks and robbery incidents as much as possible.

OPSH therefore assure the populace within its JOA of its determination ensure peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations in its operational area. Law abiding citizens are encouraged to give timely information to help the troops respond effectively .

By peter Akpah.

CHRISTMAS GOODWILL MESSAGE FROM JOLEX 

Chief Chinedu John K Oponkwa the CEO of Jolex Construction Company joyfully expresses his love and wishes of joy, peace and happiness to all citizens of Plateau, as the Christian world celebrates Christmas in of the birth of Jesus Christ, the very reason for the season. Chief Chinedu prays God to bless the people with a joyous, loving and peaceful Christmas celebration and hopes that the year 2021 will come with new opportunities and new possibilities for the people and the nation. Stay safe. Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year! 

P

By peter Akpah.

GOVERNOR LALONG SIGNS 2021 BUDGET/ANTI-KIDNAPPING, LAND GRABBING & CULTISM BILL

Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong on Thursday night signed into law the 2021 Appropriation Bill of N147.53 billion naira passed by the State House of Assembly.
This consists of N90.19 billion as recurrent and N57.34 billion as capital expenditures.

The Governor while signing the bill into law said the 2021 budget will focus on areas that will stimulate economic growth and recovery particularly as the year begins under a second wave of COVID-19 which has affected the economy adversely.

He said “With the successful passage of the 2021 budget within record time, we shall now settle down to implement the budget vigorously. As we face the second wave of COVID-19, we shall continue to appeal to our people to observe all protocols so that we do not have any reason to lock down again and further hurt the economy”.

Lalong said the Government will in the 2021 fiscal year support businesses that will hopefully grow and in turn pay taxes especially now that the State has signed into law the new tax law for development.

The Governor also signed into law the anti-kidnapping, anti-land grabbing, cultism and other anti-violence related matters bill also passed by the House of Assembly.

He said the law is long overdue because of the increase in kidnapping, land grabbing and other violent crimes within the State.

The Governor said “as a responsible Government, we cannot fold our arms to see people being terrorized by criminals who are clearly out to cause mayhem. This new law will deal with anyone caught in the act and I urge security agencies to be on their toes and ensure that culprits are apprehended and made to face the law”.

He called communities to rise up to the challenge by identifying and fishing criminals within their domains and passing relevant information to security agencies to act.

The law provides death sentence for those convicted for kidnapping while those found guilty for cultism shall be jailed for a minimum of 7 years. Others involved in meteng out violence on anyone risk spending up to 10 years in jail upon conviction.

While wishing the citizens of the State a merry Christmas, the Governor again appealed for adherence to COVID-19 protocols saying his experience in the past one week confirms the reality of the pandemic.

He recognised the patriotism, sactifice and diligence of front line medical personnel who continue to risk their lives in fighting the pandemic, asking them not to be deterred in saving lives.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the
Executive Governor
24th September 2020.

By Peter Akpah

Chief Chinedu John K Oponkwa the CEO of Jolex Construction Company joyfully expresses his love and wishes of joy, peace and happiness to all citizens of Plateau, as the Christian world celebrates Christmas in of the birth of Jesus Christ, the very reason for the season. Chief Chinedu prays God to bless the people with a joyous, loving and peaceful Christmas celebration and hopes that the year 2021 will come with new opportunities and new possibilities for the people and the nation. Stay safe. Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year!

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