From Jude Dangwam, Jos

The Citizens Observers Hub has called on the Plateau State Governor-elect Caleb Mutfwang, to be careful of the kind of persons he brings on board to serve in his administration; as the people of the state have high expectations, having allegedly suffered difficult times in the last eight years during Simon Lalong’s led administration.

The Convener and Executive Director, CYPA Africa Amb.

Iyama said the election is over and he must be mindful of sycophants and praise singers if he wants to succeed.

“We implore you to hit the ground running without delay in order to save time and attract the goodwill of the electorates. Time is of the essence, hence you must begin implementing your blueprints for Plateau State from the first day you assume office to ensure that Plateau people do not experience the pains and frustrations the outgoing administration brought on the State for eight (8) years.”

The Hub outlines infrastructure among others for critical consideration, “It is important to look at some critical projects like the National Library-Abattoir connecting Bridge and road networks, the dilapidated state of the most used in-road into Plateau State, the Kuru-Riyom road linking Plateau State to Kaduna State.”

The Convener maintained that there is an urgent need for the new administration to re-visit the Greater Jos Master Plan in order to open up other areas of Jos through massive road infrastructure to bring more development and ease of urbanization among others.

They urged the Governor-Elect to consider the Agric Services Training Center and Marketing Limited (ASTC) in his bid to invest in agriculture which has been abandoned and neglected by the Lalong administration in the last 8 years leaving farmers with their fate.

“Drawing from your Governance Philosophy and Programmes on the need to boost the State’s economy through investment in the agricultural sector, you will recall that the Agric Services Training Center and Marketing Limited (ASTC) packed up immediately after the Lalong-led administration took over.

“Rather than continue from where the Jang-led administration left off, equipment and farm supplies were left to rot away. Farmers were left to their fate in subsistence farming which had little capacity to meet the daily food consumption requirements of the State. Thus, rejuvenating the ASTC will give ample employment opportunities in agriculture for Plateau people,” they suggested. 

Iyama reiterated that the “Citizens Observers Hub” which is a coalition of civil society organizations working on credible Elections and deepening democratic Governance in Nigeria will in line with their mandate “Raise red flags” when the Mutfwang’s government decides to abandon governance for frivolities.

“To this effect, we are committed to tracking every penny and every project at all levels in Plateau State, including the conduct of persons who will occupy an office in your administration. It is not going to be business as usual, we will follow your administration every inch of the way to ensure that you deliver on your mandate and do everything possible to develop Plateau State, deliver dividends of democracy, and secure lives and property,” they firmly stated.