By Christiana Gokyo, Jos
Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has outlined major achievements recorded by his administration over the past three years, spanning infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, water supply, energy, tourism, and civil service reforms.
Speaking during a statewide broadcast on Friday to mark his third anniversary in office, Governor Mutfwang said his administration remains committed to restoring hope and dignity to citizens, particularly victims of displacement caused by insecurity.
The governor disclosed that significant progress had been made in rebuilding displaced communities.
He cited the recent launch of the Eden Initiative for Humanitarian Support at Ribakwe Village in Rigwe Chiefdom of Bassa Local Government Area, a non-governmental programme designed to provide safe and decent shelter for displaced persons.
According to him, the state government is mobilising both public and private resources to replicate the initiative in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Mangu, and Bokkos Local Government Areas as part of broader efforts to resettle internally displaced persons.
On civil service reforms, Mutfwang said his administration had restored dignity and hope to workers by clearing inherited salary arrears and ensuring the regular payment of salaries without delays.
He added that the government had so far spent over N16 billion on pensions and gratuities, including outstanding payments dating back to 1986.
“Some of these arrears date back to 1986. We restored promotions, regular staff training, and reconnected government offices to electricity to improve service delivery,” he said.
In the transportation sector, the governor highlighted the introduction of the Tin City Metro Transport Service, which he said has improved urban mobility within the Jos-Bukuru metropolis.
The initiative, according to him, serves about 10,000 passengers daily, creates employment opportunities, and significantly reduces transportation costs for residents.
He also announced the revival of interstate transport services through the procurement and refurbishment of vehicles operating on the Jos-Abuja route and other destinations.
The governor further revealed that the state government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ValueJet Airline to provide daily Lagos-Jos flights and four weekly Abuja-Jos flights, while discussions with United Nigeria Airlines had reached an advanced stage.
On education, Mutfwang described the sector as central to his administration’s human capital development agenda.
He noted that tuition fees for Plateau State indigenes in state-owned tertiary institutions had been reduced by 50 per cent, while scholarship funding had increased by 300 per cent.
He said academic programmes in state-owned institutions had received accreditation, while infrastructure and academic facilities had been improved at Plateau State University, Bokkos, and the College of Education, Gindiri.
The governor added that through SUBEB and the AGILE programme, 397 classrooms had been constructed, 557 renovated, boreholes drilled, and furniture supplied to schools across the state.
Under the Mutfwang Legacy Scholarship Scheme, he said, 200 students are currently studying in India, while others are pursuing studies in the United States and other countries.
In the health sector, Mutfwang said the Plateau State Specialist Hospital had been upgraded with modern laboratory equipment worth N2 billion, alongside the recruitment of 22 consultants and five physiotherapists.
He noted that ultrasound machines had been supplied to 17 general hospitals, while renovation and upgrade works were ongoing in major health facilities across the state.
The governor also announced the establishment of the Plateau State Drug and Medical Commodity Agency to ensure access to affordable medicines and curb the circulation of counterfeit drugs.
He further disclosed that health insurance coverage under the Mutfwang-Care Initiative had increased from 93,605 beneficiaries in 2023 to 319,429 beneficiaries, expanding access to healthcare for vulnerable citizens through PLASCHEMA.
According to him, 82 primary healthcare centres have been renovated and equipped with solar power through the IMPACT Project, while another 17 facilities have been revitalised through state and Global Fund support.
On agriculture, Mutfwang said the government had recovered more than 1,600 hectares of farmland previously abandoned due to insecurity.
He stated that subsidised fertilisers worth over N20 billion, seedlings and agrochemicals worth N4 billion, and mechanisation support valued at N2 billion had been provided to farmers since 2023.
The governor added that additional tractors had been procured through ACReSAL, while the construction of a Special Agro-Processing Zone, Potato Tissue Culture Laboratory, and a modern abattoir was ongoing.
Speaking on infrastructure development, Mutfwang disclosed that nearly 500 kilometres of roads had been asphalted, while over 2,000 kilometres of roads were expected to be completed in the coming months.
He said more than 70 projects were currently being executed by various government agencies across the state.
In the water sector, the governor noted that the N30 billion Langtang North Water Project was progressing steadily, while the Langtang North Water Scheme had been revived and was already serving residents.
He added that the Yelwa Club Water Treatment Plant and a 25-kilometre pipeline project had been completed and commissioned in Jos South Local Government Area.
Mutfwang also highlighted achievements in the energy sector, including partnerships with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and private investors to deploy mini-grids and implement the E-HEART Electrification Programme in 25 communities.
He said solar mini-grids had already been installed in Namu, Bakin Ciyawa, Kwande, and Kwa communities in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area.
Additionally, the administration procured and distributed 70 transformers to communities across the state and expanded solar street lighting projects to improve security and economic activities.
On environmental sustainability, the governor said his administration declared a state of emergency on the environment, revived monthly sanitation exercises, and increased the monthly stipends of street sweepers from N8,000 to N30,000.
He also noted significant progress in the campaign against open defecation, resulting in cleaner and healthier communities.
In the tourism sector, Mutfwang said the government had secured the Jos Wildlife Park with a 17-kilometre perimeter fence, upgraded the Mado Tourist Village, and rehabilitated the Solomon Lar Amusement Park.
He added that the remodelling of Plateau and Hill Station Hotels had reached an advanced stage, with some rooms already available for use.
The governor further revealed that the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) had constructed over 200 lock-up shops in Bukuru and commenced implementation of the Greater Jos Master Plan.
He also announced ongoing efforts to activate the international cargo status of the Yakubu Gowon Airport in Heipang as part of plans to boost trade and investment in the state.