From Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Plateau State Government has acquired 38.299 hectares of land in Zanwra Miango District at a cost of ₦346,542,000 to address the housing challenges of civil servants in the state. The full payment for the land has already been made.
Governor Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang disclosed this on Thursday during the flag-off of the Workers Housing Estate for civil servants. “This project is not just about building houses; we are creating homes, communities, and enduring legacies,” he said.
Speaking at Zanwra Nkie Whie in Miango District of Bassa Local Government Area, where the project is located, the Governor said the 38.299 hectares of land will host over 400 housing units for civil servants.
During the foundation-laying ceremony, Governor Mutfwang said, “We are laying the foundation of hope, dignity, and stability for our hardworking and dedicated workforce. This project is a testament to our administration’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing the welfare of civil servants, the true engine room of governance.”
He highlighted some achievements of his administration since May 2023, including clearing months of accumulated salary arrears, restoring regular salary payments, settling decades-old pension and gratuity backlogs—some dating as far back as 1986—and paying death benefits to families who had long given up hope.
“This strengthens oversight, discipline, and professionalism. We introduced digitized personnel records and e-governance platforms to ensure greater efficiency, transparency, and accountability,” he said.
Governor Mutfwang added, “We renovated offices, provided essential tools, and organized capacity-building programs to boost productivity and morale. Today’s groundbreaking ceremony represents another giant stride in repositioning the Plateau workforce. A worker with a roof over their head is a worker empowered to give their very best.”
He emphasized that housing is a right, not a privilege, and noted that many civil servants have long struggled with inadequate housing, spending most of their earnings on rent and leaving little for family needs.
“This is only the beginning. Our commitment is to replicate similar housing developments across Plateau State so that civil servants everywhere can benefit from this vision of shared prosperity,” he said.
The Governor said the administration’s dream is for every Plateau worker to live with dignity, and for future generations to see these estates as part of the lasting legacy of his government.
While commending the resilience, dedication, and patriotism of civil servants, he urged them to shun absenteeism, embrace innovation, and uphold high standards of integrity. “The Plateau we envision cannot be built without a committed and disciplined civil service,” he added.
He further stressed that the housing estate is part of a deliberate, long-term plan to reposition Plateau State for sustainable development. “A motivated and comfortable workforce is the bedrock of good governance, and today’s flag-off underscores that belief,” the Governor said.
Governor Mutfwang extended his gratitude to ministries, labour unions, developers, and community leaders who contributed to bringing the project to life. He also thanked the people of Zanwra Nkie Whie, Miango District, and Bassa Local Government Area for graciously welcoming the initiative.
“Together, let us build not just houses, but a stronger, united, and prosperous Plateau State,” he said.
Earlier, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Eugene Manji, expressed appreciation to the Governor, noting that the process of acquiring the land began in 2010 and took ten years to successfully complete.