From Christiana Gokyo, Jos
As the 10 days of EndBadGovernance ends, protesters in Plateau State have presented their demands to the sate governor to end the protest.
The Coalition for EndBadGovernance in Plateau state on Saturday met with Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang and his cabinet on the final day of the national protest in Jos.
In a meeting with them at Government House Little Rayfield Jos (today) Saturday, he told them that “we have been in this struggle together to make life better for Nigeria.
“I don’t have a choice because I am one of you, I have relations who are going through this affliction. They come to me and cry to me, and some have been able to meet their needs. But some for several of them have not been able to meet their needs,” he said.
According to him, because I am also limited by reality, Why do I say so? This is just to let you know that I feel your pain. when I know that somebody who works hard is frustrated by the electricity tariff, I am also frustrated.
“I want you to know that there is nothing that you are going through that we did not feel the same; now that we are in the seat of leadership, be sure of finding a solution for the situation. He said.
He noted that, from the year 2015 to 2023 where the years when Nigerians and Nigeria were stopped by the dignity of humanity and moved from one of the biggest economic nations in Africa to the poverty capital of the world.
The Governor further stated that when the locust takes our wealth, these were years when the fourth line for our diversity was tight and were years when corruption became a culture, and we are coming at a time when things are very bad.
He says that he agrees with them totally, saying that the time has come, and the time is now that we must change the story of our nation.
While assuring of his Government’s commitment to making Plateau and Nigeria a better place, adding that his administration inherited a challenging situation.
He assured his efforts to lay the foundation for a better Plateau state and Commended the coalition for organizing a peaceful protest.
According to him, good governance is a collective responsibility which requires effective communication while assuring plans to establish community markets for citizens and his government, adding that discussions with private investors to build new markets for the people are ongoing.
The Governor further assured of beefing up their communication process to make sure that the people understand what the government is doing for them because, without effective communication, there will be no proper understanding of government policies.
Barr. Mutfwang assured them that for the national demands, he would submit to the President’s demands.
The representative of the End- badGovernance Coalition, Sam Ode, presented the state and national demands to the governor, which included reducing tuition fees at Plateau State University, decreasing the cost of governance, and publishing detailed information on the state’s expenditures.
While calling for the payment of minimum wage and other benefits, while the national demands, including reversing subsidies, reducing tuition fees in federal institutions, and reviewing electricity tariffs.
Also, Ishaya Inusa, an advocate of Peace and Justice, commended the security agencies for their civility during the protest, saying that the protest demonstrated that demands can be made without violence.
He also appreciated the support of the people and said that hunger affects everyone, not just the youth, and urged the government to consider the demands of the youth.
In her own words, Mildred Bako, a member of the coalition, urged the government to provide alternative accommodation for those displaced by the Jos Metropolitan Development Board’s demolitions.
Speaking earlier the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Bashir Datti, acknowledged the hardships faced by the people, urged the Youth to pursue dialogue and appreciated the coalition’s willingness to engage with the government
According to him, this demonstrates the strength of the people of Plateau state.