Lalong Congratulates Prof Nora Dadu’ut Senator Elect And First Plateau Female Senator.

By Peter Akpah

GOVERNOR LALONG CONGRATULATES FIRST PLATEAU FEMALE SENATOR-ELECT, PROF. NORA DADU’UT.

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has congratulated Prof. Nora Dadu’ut candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for making history as the first female Senator-elect in Plateau State.

Prof. Nora Dadu’ut who emerged winner of the Plateau South Senatorial District bye-election defeated her closest rival George Daika of the PDP for the nod to fill the vacuum created by the death of the former occupant of the seat late Senator Ignatius Longjan.

Governor Lalong said the victory of Prof. Nora Dadu’ut was not surprising as the APC is well rooted in the whole state particularly the Southern Senatorial District.

He congratulated Prof. Nora whom he believes will give quality representation to the people of the Southern Senatorial District and also represent the interest of the State at the red chamber.

He commended INEC and security agencies for working assiduously towards a successful election. He said the electorate also deserve special commendation for conducting themselves peacefully and ensuring that the execise was devoid of violence and malpractice.

Lalong also called on other political parties and candidates who lost the election to rally round the winner in the best interest of the zone and Plateau State as a whole.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
6th December 2020.

JPSNT Urges Local Government Workers To Suspend Protest.

Suspend all forms of protest JPSNT Tells protesters of all LG.

By Peter Akpah

The Chairman, Joint Public Service Negotiating Team, Plateau State Trade Union, Cmr. James Diwa has appealed to Local Government Workers in the state currently protesting non implementation of the new minimum wage to suspend all forms of protests.

The appeal, according to the chairman was as a result of a meeting between Government and Labour on Monday which led to setting up of a technical committee to ascertain the inflow and outflow of cash of all the Local Governments in the State and make appropriate recommendations for the implementation of the new minimum wage.

A statement signed by the chairman and a copy made available to African Drum on Wednesday, reads; “You are aware that the 7th days ultimatum issued government to implement the minimum wage to Local Government Workers ended yesterday.

“However, a meeting between government and labour on Monday 30th November, 2020 set up a Technical Committee to ascertain the inflow/outflow of each of the 17 LGCs and make appropriate recommendations that will accommodate the payment of the minimum wage to local government workers. “While we share in the hardship workers are passing through in the face of harsh economic realities, we appeal to workers to be calm and suspend all forms of protests for now while the technical committee intensifies effort at completing its assignment to pave a way for the implementation of the new minimum wage to all the local government workers within the shortest possible time”.Cmr James Diwa

Recall that local government workers in Plateau state on Monday embarked on a peaceful protest to register their grievance over non implementation of the new minimum wage. The development saw workers blocking some major ways in Jos, the state capital.

Tudun wada Mado Road Contract Not A Scam And Compensation To Me Says Jolex.

By Peter Akpah
Following the rumors going round that the Tudun Wada/Mado
down to Satellite Market road contract was given to Jolex
Construction Company as compensation for helping finance the
2015 campaign that brought Governor Simon Bako Lalong into
power by some mischief makers; the CEO of the company Chief
Chinedu John K. Okponwa has refuted such as not being true.

According to him, the normal bidding process was followed, as
there were advertisements for the contract. Like others, my
company applied and bided for the contract. In view of our bill of
quantity and the quality of our past works, after the bidding and
assessment by the supervising Ministry, my company was found
worthy and qualified for the contract. With this, we were awarded
the contract. Various contractors applied for the contract, so why
the rumors? Chief Chinedu further said Governor Lalong awarded
the contract based on merit and transparency without any
sentiment. My previous work for the state and other states are
there to speak for the company. Chief Chinedu, however, called
on the good people of the communities and the state in general to
shun the rumors and has promised them that the road contract
will soon be completed, as the Governor has interest in the
completion of the road and that he has been in steady contact
with the government over the contract. The delay has been as a
result of the state’s lean resources. The contract was captured in
the 2020 budget, but due to the pandemic of COVID-19
everything was affected all over the state and the nation at large.
The Governor has promised that the road must be completed and
he is not going to leave any project uncompleted; so the people
should be patience with us.

The government has promised to
push further for the completion of the road, and it will gladden the
Company to see the Governor commission the road. He is also
reassuring the communities that his company is more than
capable to finish the job as soon as they are funded, though they
are aware of the problems the state is facing with regards to
finance, but in no time the work will be completed, he said.

Tudun Wada Mado To Satellite Market Contract Awarded Based On Merit, Not Compensation Says Jolex.

By Peter Akpah Following the rumors going round that the tudun wada mado down to satellite market road contract was given to Jolex construction company as compensation for helping in financing the 2015 campaign that brought governor Simon Bako Lalong in to power by some mischief makers, the CEO of the company Chief Chinedu John K. Okponwa has refuted such and not true according to him there was an open bidding and advertisements for the contract and my company applied for it and bided for the contract and bill of quantity and quality after the bidding and assessment by the ministry my company was found worthy and qualify for the contract and we where awarded the contract various contractors applied for the contract so why the rumors, chief Chinedu further said governor Lalong awarded the contract based on merit and transparency without any sentiment my previous work for the state and other states are there to speak for the company. Chief Chinedu however called on the good people of the communities to shunned such rumors and promise them that the road contract will soon be completed as the governor has interest in the completion of the roads and he has been in talking terms with the government over the contract is just that the state is having very lem resources and even though the contract was captured in the 2020 budget but the pandemic of covid-19 came and affected everything all over the state and the nation at large the governor has promised that the road most be completed and he is not going to leave any project uncompleted, so the people should be patience for the government is aware of what they are facing and promise to push further for the completion of the roads as it will gladdened him to see the governor commissioning the roads and he reassures the communities that his company is more than capable to finish the job as soon as they are mobilized though they are aware of the problem the state is facing in times of finance but in no time soon the work will be completed he said.

Lalong Optimistic Of Plateau United Victory At CAF Champion League.

By Peter Akpah

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: GOVERNOR LALONG OPTIMISTIC OF PLATEAU UNITED VICTORY AS HE VISITS TRAINING SESSION

Ahead of the of the CAF Champions League match between Plateau United and Simba SC football club of Tanzania, scheduled to hold at the Zaria Road Stadium in Jos, Governor Simon Lalong on Wednesday 25th November 2020 visited the team during their training session.

While addressing the players and technical team, Governor Lalong said he was at the stadium to ascertain their level of preparations and also encourage them to put in their best for a victory come sunday.

“I am here first of all to congratulate you for winning the Nigerian Premier League for the second time which qualifies you to represent Nigeria at the CAF champions League. I have no doubt that you will bring home the trophy having leant from the mistakes of the past and made serious improvements” he said.

Lalong said the team has all it takes to win the match on Sunday and eventually go ahead to win the tournament. He promised that the State Government will provide all moral and logistics support to the team to ensure they are motivated to perform well.

Governor Lalong assured the team that a new bus will be delivered to the team this week to enhance their comfort and movement. He promised to be personally present at the stadium to cheer up the team to victory.

General Manager of Plateau United Mr. Pius Henwan informed the Governor that the team has been vigorously training for the match and was ready to put in their very best in the CAF champions league and the national league.

He said the Government’s gesture to the club has been a great booster that has seen them make progress over time. He also appealed for intervention of the Governor in getting some fans to witness the match in line with the COVID-19 protocols.

Chief Coach of Plateau United Abdul Maikaba described the Governor’s visit as a tonic that will motivate them for victory. He appreciated the intervention of the Governor at various times towards improving the welfare of the team. He said Plateau United is the only team in Nigeria that receives salaries regularly and before the end of the month.

The Governor in company of his Chief of Staff Noel Donjur and the Commissioner for Sport Victor Lapan inspected renovation work at the dressing rooms and conveniences in the stadium.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham

ENDSARS: Looters Return Items, And Seek For Forgiveness

By Peter Akpah

ENDSARS: LOOTERS RETURN ITEMS, SEEK FORGIVENESS IN PLATEAU STATE

Some people who participated in looting of items during the recent vandalisation of warehouses and other public and private properties under the guise of looking for palliatives have returned the items in their possession, asking for forgiveness from the Government of Plateau State.

The repentant persons were led to the new Government House Rayfield Jos led by popular evangelist of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo who explained that they made the confession during a prayer revival orgainsed at the Zang Secondary School Bukuru, Jos South Local Government.

The clergyman said over two thousand people came forward after the hearing the gospel where he preached against the recent looting and vandalism which affected public and private properties in the State.

This action according to him is not just an invitation of the anger of God against the suspects but the entire State. He said the hijack of the ENDSARS protest is a plan of the devil to scuttle the will of God for Plateau State which cannot be left without intercession.

Touched by the message, some of the persons involved in the looting repented and decided to bring some of the items still in their possessions as a mark of restitution and plea for mercy from God and the Government of Plateau State.

Rev. Dachomo appealed to the Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong to temper justice with mercy by granting forgiveness to the repentant persons who voluntarily came forward at the revival meeting with a promise never to partake in such acts again.

Receiving the items on behalf of the Governor, Secretary to the Government of the State Prof. Danladi Abok Atu commended Rev. Dachomo for appealing to the consciences of the affected persons who came forward to ask for forgiveness.

He said the action of the looters was a great disservice to the State as not only food items were looted, but heavy machinery, public infrastructure and businesses worth billions of naira were stolen and also destroyed.

He advised the youths of Plateau State to be wary of listening to incitement by people who are not even from Plateau State, but come into the State purposely to orchestrate the destruction after which they disappear to their places of origin just like during the ENDSARS protest.

He promised to forward the plea of the repentant persons to the Governor for further consideration.

Most of the items returned were food provisions looted from various warehouses.

Victim Support Fund Donates Palliatives To Plateau state.

By Peter Akpah

Governor Lalong Receiving items from the officials of the victim support fund

VICTIM SUPPORT FUND DONATES PALLIATIVES TO PLATEAU STATE

The Victim Support Fund (VSF) has donated palliatives to Plateau State Government. The palliatives were presented to Governor Simon Lalong at the Maxwell Khobe Cantonment warehouse at the Rukuba Barracks Jos.

Governor Lalong and some members of the cabinet during the event

While recieving the items, Governor Lalong expressed appreciation to the Victims Support Fund for reaching out to vulnerable persons in the State through the presentation of the items.

He assured that the items will be distributed to the intended beneficiaries in line with the guidelines set by the donors.

Governor Lalong and Dem Pauline Tallen minister of women affairs receiving the Palliatives

Minister of Women Affairs Paullen Tallen also thanked the VSF for the donation which she said will go a long way to cushion the effect of the looting that took place in the State last month.

Chairperson of the Victim Support Fund Task Force on COVID-19 Mrs. Toyosi Akerele Ogunsuji, who made the presentation explained that the item are to be shared for members of the civil society and the Government on a 50/50 ratio.

Items donated by the victim support fund to Plateau

Items received include.
RICE 5,745 BAGS (10kg)
BEANS 5,745 BAGS (10kg)
MAIZE 5,745 BAGS (10kg)
SALT 2KG 5,745 (10kg)
GRAND SOYA OIL (4 LITRES) 5,745
NON SURGICAL MASKS 5,000
LATEX HANDS GLOVES 1,345
HAND SANITIZER 10,000
HAND SANITIZERS 15 of 4cl
PPE 1,354
SURGICAL GOGLE 1,354
BOOTS 1,354

Governor Lalong Signs Consolidated Revenue law.

By peter Akpah

PLATEAU GOVERNOR SIGNS CONSOLIDATED REVENUE LAW

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has signed into law 2 bills passed by the Plateau State House of Assembly aimed at strengthening the economy of the State. The laws are:

Plateau State Revenue(Consolidated) Law 2020
Plateau State Debt Management Department (Amendment) law 2020

While signing the bills into law, the Governor explained that With the Consolidated Revenue Law in place Plateau State is set to ensure uniformity, certainty and concord in revenue collection through a single machinery coordinated by the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service.

He said with this development, the Government expects its revenue to grow as it blocks leakages and also ensures that all revenue collection is automated.

He said already, the State has engaged a reputable revenue firm to facilitate the harvesting of revenues from sources that have been neglected over the years. Another issue that the new law addresses is multiple taxation which has been a major concern for businesses and other tax payers.

The Governor appealed to the citizens of the State to cooperate with the relevant agencies in the implementation of the law because the revenue generated will be used to implement the projects and programs that are ongoing and those that will be initiated.

The Governor also explained that the amendment of the Debt Management Law was to make it function as a department in line with the Federal law while the tenure and functions of the DG have also been adjusted accordingly.

By Peter Akpah

PLATEAU GOVERNOR SIGNS CONSOLIDATED REVENUE LAW

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has signed into law 2 bills passed by the Plateau State House of Assembly aimed at strengthening the economy of the State. The laws are:

Plateau State Revenue(Consolidated) Law 2020
Plateau State Debt Management Department (Amendment) law 2020

He said with this development, the Government expects its revenue to grow as it blocks leakages and also ensures that all revenue collection is automated.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State
20th November 2020.

Constituents Pass Vote Of Confidence On Hon Haruna Maitala.

By Peter Akpah THE COALITION OF PATRIOTS FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE, FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE (JOS NORTH/ BASSA) HAS PASS VOTE OF CONFIDENCE ON THE MEMBER REPRESENTING JOSNORTH BASSA FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY, THE GROUP MADE THIS KNOWN IN A PRESS CONFERENCE IN JOS THE PLATEAU STATE CAPITAL. BELOW IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE BRIEFING.

Gentlemen of the press, it has become very necessary to address you today regarding the campaign of calumny raised and sustained against the Hon. member representing we the good people of Jos North/Bassa federal constituency in the National Assembly, Haruna Maitala (Turakin Jere).
This press briefing is borne out of the fact that being members and critical stakeholders in the constituency, we owe it a duty, firstly, to the Hon. member and to posterity to debunk the white lies being bandied against him regarding his performance as our representative.
Recall that his journey to the Green Chamber went through four stages; the first two stages at the polls and the last two at both the Lower and the Appeal Tribunal respectively. Despite extending the olive branch to the losers for the sake of democracy and our constituency, they rather chose the inglorious path of petty propaganda to tarnish the good name of the Hon. member.
At first, they didn’t hide their identities but when it became obvious that their campaign of calumny was rather drawing bad blood for them, they resorted to writing in pseudonym names. We commend the Hon member who in the face of these provocations, has remained focused.
It is in this regard that we find it necessary and obligated as constituents who have seen the tremendous achievement of Hon Maitala in just 11/2 years in office to tell the whole world about that and correct the erroneous impression given by these mischief makers.
It is on record that immediately after the inauguration of the 9th Assembly, Hon. Maitala was deeply involved in the campaigns that eventually saw the emergence of leadership at the lower chamber. A development that equally saw his appointment into 11 committees even as a first timer. Thereafter, Hon. Maitala, being a promised keeper, decided to fulfill his campaign promises beginning in the area of empowerment. Consequently, in January 2020, Hon. Maitala sponsored over 1000 candidates for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board ( JAMB) and over 500 candidates for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
Unfortunately, the process of the empowerment was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic that ravaged the world prompting lockdown on many countries, Nigeria inclusive. The ugly development made it incumbent upon spirited government and individuals to diverse means of cushioning the effects of the pandemic. Gentlemen of the press, we want to categorically state here that we are witnesses to Hon Haruna Maitala’s effort within the period aimed at cushioning the effect of the COVID-19 as he distributed food and other items worth millions of naira as palliative to his constituents. This was aside his contribution to the COVID-19 fund raising in the two Local Government Areas (Jos North and Bassa that make up his constituency), the State and the Federal Governments respectively.
We also witnessed a continuation of the empowerment activity immediately after the lockdown when Hon Maitala distributed fertilizer to all the Executive Committee Members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in his constituency in June, 2020.
We are also testifying to the lobbying power of our Hon. member which after meeting with the leadership of Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, resulted in the rehabilitation of Jos – Jengre – Zaria road and the award of contract for the construction of 3 kilometre rural road in Rimi Ward, Pengana Chiefdom in Bassa LGA.
We are bold to further state that Hon Maitala has been able to secure appointments to some members of his constituents in Federal Government establishments such as the National Assembly Commission, Nigerian Civil Defence Corps, the Police Academy Wudil, the Nigerian Customs Service among others. We also know that he was able to secure admission to over 50 candidates into the University of Jos and assisted many with cash to enable them carry out registration exercise.
With regards to insecurity, most especially in Bassa LGA, we are also witnesses to the fact that Hon Maitala has been having discussions with stakeholders and in July this year, had an interface with a committee set up by the Irigwe Traditional Council to come up with modalities on how to bring a solution to the recurrent attacks in the community. The Hon member during the meeting promised to synergize with I D Gyang, Senator representing Plateau North Senatorial District in the National Assembly to achieve that purpose. It is obvious that the relative peace being witnessed in the area currently is as a result of that effort.
We also wish to state that Hon Maitala has donated cash to the neighborhood Watch of some communities in Jos North for the purchase of operational vehicles and other working equipments.
Taking the above into consideration, you would agree with us that it is only God fearless and experts in mischief making would go public and say that Hon Maitala has not been seen for 300 days (which is almost one year). It for the above reasons that we deem fit to address you and inform the world that Hon Haruna Maitala has not derailed in his campaign promises. It is instructive to further add that he has deeply involved us in his programs for the constituency and we are more than satisfied with his performance so far.
In the light of the above, we hereby pass a vote of confidence on Hon Haruna Maitala, member representing Jos North/Bassa federal constituency in the National Assembly. We also pledge our unalloyed and total support for him.
We call the bluff of the faceless people asking the Hon member to either resign or be recalled and challenge them to carry out their threat. We acknowledged the fact that recall of an elected member is part of democratic process but it doesn’t starts and ends in noise making and blackmail. We make bold to state that the farthest these faceless people can go in their project (if there is any at all) is to succeed in obtaining thumbprints of pupils in Kindergarten which eventually would serve them no purpose.
As a human being, we know that Hon Maitala is infallible and therefore, has his shortcomings. It is the reason we would continue to engage him by way of constructive criticism for the sake of our democracy and for our constituency and we call on well meaning individuals to tore the same line.
It is also for this reason that we are calling on all those who hold our constituency in high esteem to contribute positively toward enhancing its progress.

Thank you and God bless.

SIGNED:
REMTJUS EGEJUPU, TAFAWA BALEWA WARD JOS-NORTH
HON. MOSES WILLIAMS, ZOBWO WARD BASSA
MR. AUDU IMBAI AMOS MAFARA WARD BASSA