PROTOCOL
“OUR RESCUE MISSION, DEBT OF HONOUR AND HOPE
OF A BETTER TOMORROW”.
Today marks a memorable and auspicious period
of double barrel celebration in the annals of our history. First, is the
marking of my administration’s one year in office and second is Democracy Day
of our dear country, the Federal Republic of Nigeria. On these occasions, it is
worth thanking Almighty God for His faithfulness, good health, peace and
protection. I also congratulate all citizens for the loyalty, patience and
continuous support in the journey so far.
Fellow Citizens, you will recall that exactly
a year ago, shortly after taking the oath of office I made an inaugural address
that delved predominantly on the policy directions of our newly sworn
government, the daunting challenges and hope of a better Plateau. This was even
with the solemn believed that in spite of the trials and tribulations, we shall
overcome. As we take stock of our journey so far, my address is focused on “Our
Rescue Mission, Debt of Honour and Hope of a better tomorrow”. By implication,
and with great reverence to the trust bestowed on me, it is only proper to
remain conscious of the fact that this government came through the Change
mantra to rescue our people from years of desolation and hopelessness. This
government is conscious of its debt of honour to the teeming populace that massively
voted us into power. We have consciousness of living up to the expectations in
exhibiting duty of care in service delivery with the promise and hope of a
better and prosperous tomorrow.
Without recourse to lamentations and as
panacea to govern without prejudice and move the state positively, we embraced
core values that are fundamentally located in the heart of the Plateau spirit,
namely, sense of communality, diverse ethnicity, mutual respect, tolerance,
peace, hospitality, humility, and diligence. We are still on course and what I
envision for Plateau State is not just economic prosperity, but a rebirth of
our spirit, and a renewal of commitment to our unity and common purpose.
When on 29th May 2015, exactly a year ago, we
celebrated a new beginning for greater future and prosperity, I observed and
warned that our people, including the youth are bleeding in hardship and there
is a pervasive sense of pessimism that the best days of our dear state are
behind us and that things can get worse.
What we inherited on assumption of duty
vindicated my assertion, most especially as many citizens shared in that sense
of despondency, which grew by the day. In fact, given what we inherited, there
was general loss of confidence in governance and government institutions. The
scenario we encountered on assumption of office was as follows:
1. Security challenges, which threatened
lives and property had remained unchecked;
2. The tragedies and casualties of crises in
the last few years of the last administration that left little room for
concrete development, state-wide;
3. Incomplete handing over of government
business to enable us have a true picture of state of affairs in the
government.
4. An inherited work force in the state that
was on strike for several months over non-payment of Salaries for about 8
months and outstanding pension arrears of over 12 months;
5. An educational sector that was no longer
acceptable as it was totally grounded from primary to the tertiary level; in
spite of declaration of state of emergency;
6. Very low morale in the Civil Service,
where the bureaucratic parameters and career development potentials were
desecrated;
7. An empty state treasury with a huge debt
profile of over N222 billion and limited potential for revenue earning;
8. A dwindling inflow and low revenue from
both Federation Account due to fallen oil price and Internally Generated
Revenue (IGR);
9. The double tragedy of low revenue that is
also tied to an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO);
10. A State that was disillusioned, as
citizens watched a clique who primitively amassed wealth through the
privatization of governance and the common wealth of the citizenry;
11. Massive awards of contracts for roads and
other infrastructure without sufficient funds to complete them;
12. None passage of the budget by the
previous House of Assembly, thus stalling government activities; and
13. Numerous uncompleted projects that were
already deserted by the various contractors due to non-payment of Valuation
Certificates, amongst others.
These challenges had contributed in slowing
down governance, but we were not daunted. I must commend you all for the
perseverance and loyalty in the face of hardship. I also commend the workforce,
particularly the Deputy Governor, Professor Sonni Tyoden, Members of the State
Executive and Security Council and top government officials for their
diligence, faith in our rescue mission and keeping hope alive that it shall be
well.
PLATEAU STATE TODAY.
Fellow Citizens, In spite of all odds, the
ideals of PLATEAU STATE of today, one year after taking over the mantle of
leadership is still anchored on the change mantra, to rescue Plateau anchored
on the principle of justice, equity and unity.
The Plateau State Today envisages that the State
is a Wealth of Resources, a Wealth of Opportunities for its present and future
development.
This vision of Plateau State TODAY, for a
better tomorrow still remains within the perspectives of our five policy
thrusts of Peace, Security and Good
Governance; Human Capital Development and Social Welfare; Agriculture and Rural
Development; Entrepreneurship and Industrialization; and Physical
Infrastructure and Environment. From our insight of the past one year, lessons
learnt about the economy have compelled us to think out of the box in relation
to the New Normal and exploited areas of Discriminating Competences, which are
simply related to our priority areas of development. For the avoidance of
doubt, while not abandoning our five policy thrusts, we are also focused on the
new normal in the following strategic priority areas:
1. Agriculture;
2. Mineral Resources Development; and
3. Tourism.
The unique place of AGRICULTURE on the
Plateau is the semi-temperate weather, favourable for production of tropical
and other exotic temperate crops. The geo-strategic positioning of the State
for vegetable production and value chain development cannot be over-emphasized,
given our comparative advantage in the production of these fruits, vegetables
and crops. The agricultural activities are great stimulants for the development
of agro-allied industries. Besides, the Jos Airport has been designated as the
only International Cargo Airport for hauling Agricultural produce to other
countries of the world.
The State is endowed with large deposits of
wide varieties of SOLID MINERAL RESOURCES that have mainly been subjected to
artisanal mining. Government is not benefiting up to 25% revenue from solid
minerals. As key driver of economic growth, Mining offers viable prospects for
mineral exploration, processing and the manufacture of a host of intermediate
raw materials for local industries and foreign exchange earnings. It presents
the opportunity for diversifying our local economy with the view to reduce
dependency on oil revenue, curb the growing level of unemployment and poverty
and move rural miners into middle class.
TOURISM industry has a pride of place in the
State, given the facts of natural scenic beauty that are inexhaustible and not
fully explored. Plateau occupies a historical position of being one of the
first locations and sceneries of film and theatre production in the country,
and stimulating growth of our economy.
Without prejudice, these are indeed our areas
of discriminating competences that `are unrivaled and have greater advantages
and multiplier effects on other key sectors of development. The great
diversities of our natural and human endowments are underlying facts that
justify realistic strategic plans for efficient and effective transformation in
these areas of comparative advantages.
It is expected that as a panacea for our
Plateau of TODAY and TOMORROW, non-oil revenue accruing to the State would be
ploughed into sustainable development of the other sectors, such as Human
Capital Development and Social Welfare; Entrepreneurship and industrialization
within the context of our 3 E-Dimensional Strategies of Employment, Empowerment
and Engagement, which are geared towards skills acquisition and wealth
creation.
No doubt, it has not been business as usual
since assumption of office, which is even worsened by the continuous slide in
economic misfortune occasioned by the recession. To further accomplish our set
objectives of the change mantra and rescue mission related to promises made to
the people, we have begun embracing and keying into some ideals of
Private-Sector-Driven-Culture in governance as demonstrated with my recent
official business trip to the People’s Republic of China and the United States
of America.
ACHIEVEMENTS.
The peculiarities of legacies inherited from
our predecessors varied from State to State. Some States met a solid foundation
to consolidate upon and forge ahead, while some found it regrettable that they
needed to dust-off and start on a renewed platform with appropriate rebalancing.
As a score card of practical governance within the past one year, we were able
to record the following achievements:
1. PEACE BUILDING AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION.
Having inherited crisis of confidence on
peace and security in the State, and recognizing that peace and security are
panacea for good governance, concerted efforts were made in ensuring early
return and sustainability of these ingredients. In this respect, the following
were achieved:
i. Town hall meetings were held with all the
stakeholders in the State as potent tool in the sustenance of our issues based
policies and sensitization.
ii. After several Security Consultative
meetings between warring Berom and Fulani communities, the Peace and
Reconciliation Committee was constituted, worked diligently and submitted its
report;
iii. The substantial implementation of the
report has led to the sustainable peace and mutual coexistence that Plateau
State is enjoying today;
iv. The positive impact of this intervention
earned commendation to the State by the Humanitarian Dialogue, an International
Organization that has been working through the length and breadth of the State
to ensure peace is sustained.
v. To consolidate on the above, for lasting
peace on the Plateau and its environment, a Bureau for Peace Building and
Conflict Resolution has been established and has since commenced operations.
2. GOOD GOVERNANCE AND INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS.
Having restored peace and security, which are
necessary ingredients for good governance, it became imperative that we build
confidence in governance by doing the right thing and at the auspicious time.
Accordingly, the following were achieved:
i. Constituted a Transition Committee
following poor handing over process and documentation. This helped us in taking
proper stock, redefined governance and cleaning the Augean Stable;
ii. Resolution of industrial disputes with
Labour Unions that had lingered for several months;
iii. Commenced payment of backlog of
inherited salaries arrears, ahead of the Federal Government’s Bail-out. It is
hoped that as soon as the remaining balance of the bailout fund is released,
the outstanding would be paid;
iv. Harmonized pensions of retired civil
servants and paid seven months out of the thirteen months inherited;
v. Settled outstanding Counterpart Funds of
over N200 million for HIV and AIDS, Fadama II, Community and Social Development
Agency micro projects, based on “felt needs”, amongst several other
interventions;
vi. In the Civil Service, we reviewed,
approved and released backlog of thousands of staff promotions in the Civil
Service Commission, Teachers Service Commission, Local Government Service
Commission, and exercise still on-going.
vii. Further to the reforms, we carried out
restructuring in the Civil Service in terms of proper placement of those that
were deprived of their rightful places. This exercise saw to the emergence of a
new Head of Service and appointment of new permanent Secretaries, strictly
based on merit;
viii. Set the machinery in frontally confronting
the issue of ghost workers; increase in number of retired staff, but ironical
rise in wage bill. This had necessitated the Direct Data Capture exercise, Bank
Verification Number (BVN) and physical verification of Staff. We hope to nip in
the bud the corrupt practices that have sustained the high salaries and
frustrated savings for payments of pensions and gratuities;
ix. Recovered looted funds amounting to two
billion, seven hundred million Naira (N2,7000,000,000) from the State Universal
Basic Education Board (SUBEB);
x. Government has tracked and filed petitions
before the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) who have commenced
investigations on allegedly looted;
xi. In the Judiciary, two High Court
buildings were completely renovated and furnished to provide befitting
structures to enhance smooth working condition. This feat earned commendation
by the Judiciary on the Plateau and the Nigerian Bar Association;
xii. The above achievement fulfilled the
National Judicial Commission (NJC) requirements that also led to the
appointment of three new High Court Judges for the State; thus easing the stock
pile of litigations awaiting action and quick dispensation of justice;
xiii. Revisited the issues of Creation of
Chiefdoms, Districts, and Development Areas by setting up a high powered
Committee to review the unpopular suspension of Chiefdoms, Districts,
Development Areas and other related matters by the past regime;
xiv. Adherence To Due Process in the award of
all government contracts and procurement of goods and services; thereby
ensuring value for money, accountability and transparency in government
transactions;
xv. For good and effective governance,
Executive Bills were initiated that led to the following milestones:
a) Enacted a Law that established the Bureau
for Peace Building and Conflict Resolution. This is aimed at promotion of
peaceful coexistence among our citizens; improve security through strengthening
of mechanisms for Conflict Prevention, Intelligence Gathering and Early Warning
Systems in each community and Local Government Area;
b) Enacted a Law that established the Plateau
State Bureau of Public Procurement; and
c) Enacted a Law that established the Plateau
State Microfinance Development Agency. Through this agency too, concerted
efforts would continue to be made in widening the scope of workable mechanisms
to drive our discriminating competencies for the state. This will also help in
generating more revenue to meet its competing demands for effective and
efficient project financing services delivery, amongst several on-going
reforms.
3. EDUCATION (HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT AND
SOCIAL WELFARE).
In the sphere of Education, and to address
some anomalies in the tertiary institutions, the following were achieved:
i. Governance restructure and immediate
reinstatement of the unjustly suspended Vice Chancellor of Plateau State
University, (PLASU), Bokkos;
ii. The immediate reconstitution of the
Governing Council of PLASU and the implementation of the National Universities
Commission (NUC) Special Visitation report;
iii. Advocacy visits to the National
Universities Commission (NUC) and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) for
interventions in the State Tertiary Institutions. These have yielded positive
dividends;
iv. Constituted a Transition Committee that
reviewed appointments, placements, and other related staff matters in all State
owned Tertiary Institutions;
v. Facilitated and ensured release of over
N500 million as funds for infrastructure development and successful accreditation
of academic programmes at PLASU. This will now enable the backlog of two sets
of students to graduate and commence their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)
scheme. This is coming ten years after the institution was established;
vi. Approved and released funds for the
equipping and installation of E-Library at the Completed and Commissioned
Ultra-modern E-Library at the College of Health Technology, Zawan;
vii. Infrastructure development of
construction, Restructuring/Renovation received a boost with the sum of about N120 million at the State Polytechnic
Barkin Ladi;
viii. Payment of backlog of over five years
scholarship allowances to students of tertiary institutions and the Law
Schools;
ix. Sponsored and paid scholarship of twenty
eight (28) indigenous students to Maritime Academy in Alexandria, Egypt;
x. In giving effect to her vision for
qualitative primary education, about 4,800 primary school teachers with a
minimum of NCE qualification were being recruited through a community based
approach. This would provide employment and address the teachers deficit in
this critical formative stage of education;
xi. The School Renewal Program (SRP) has
begun receiving a boost with Government renovating primary schools across the 3
geopolitical zones and the distribution of basic instructional materials and
text books;
xii. Set the machinery in motion for
collaboration and supporting Non-Governmental Organizations on education
matters; related to time-tested Special School Model for the disadvantaged
children in the three Senatorial Zones of the State;
xiii. Institutional Support as host to the
University of Jos through purchase and donation of Security Vehicles and
Tractors for the new Faculty of Agriculture during its 27th and 28th Joint Convocation
and 40th Anniversary;
xiv. Hosted and conducted the tour for Senior
Course 38 Batch of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji, on a study
tour of Plateau State with the theme “Repositioning the Non-oil sector for
Revenue Generation;
xv. As Social Welfare, Youth and Sports
Development initiative, the following were achieved:
a) Mobilized the contractors back to site at
Zaria Road ultra-modern stadium with completion target of 2016;
b) Sponsored the State contingents to the
African Sports Festival in Congo and other National sporting competitions with
the support of government and won 101 medals and laurels;
c) Provided the enabling environment for the
organization of one of the foremost cultural festivals in the state, namely,
The Nzem Berom after a dormant period of eight years; and
d) The tremendous financial and moral support
to the State’s Plateau United Football Club earned it promotion to the
Premiership of the Nigerian Football League.
4. AGRICULTURE.
Agriculture has assumed prominence and the
following strides were made:
i. Realigning the Ministry of Agriculture,
Plateau Agriculture Development programme PADP the Agriculture Service Training
Centers (ASTC) and Marketing Ltd, as flagships of the economy of the state;
ii. Launched fertilizer distribution in Bassa
Local Government barely one month after assumption of office and at a
subsidized rate to farmers in the state. This was achieved before commencement
of the full farming season;
iii. Launched and distributed improved tomato
seedlings at PADP;
iv. Flagged off the wheat and Rice value
chain and distributed farm implements and improved seedlings; and
v. Facilitated access to the Micro Finance
for all year commercial production of Rice and Wheat for Farmers through their Association.
5. INDUSTRIALIZATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
In our effort to diversify the economy
through massive investments, the following were accomplished:
i. Evolved strategic initiatives in
sustainable programmes implementation and partnership in priority areas of
development;
ii. Revived and repositioned the comatose
Plateau Investments and Properties Company (PIPC) to resume its mandate of
managing government’s business interests and investment drive;
iii. Signed a Joint Venture Partnership (JVP)
between Hummer Drinks Ltd and PIPC (67% : 33%) for the revival of the Highland
Bottling Company;
iv. Complete renovation and upgrade of PIPC
choice properties in Gwarimpa and other locations that were dilapidated and
abandoned;
v. Tracking and recovery of some Government
Stock and Shares owned by the State Government that were negligently managed
during the last dispensation;
vi. The official visit to China with a state
contingent under the China-North Central Nigeria Business and Investment Forum
as a follow up to the President’s visit has seen the execution of Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with the Chinese business venture, Hunan Xianghui
Development Group for investment in the mineral resources exploitation and
processing, tourism and energy sectors. This was barely two weeks after the
Chinese Business Forum’s visit in April 2016. This is a major in-road in
Government’s effort to open up the State for Investors, industrialization and
job creation;
vii. Signed an MOU with Bijabta Group
(Nigeria) Limited for the completion and reactivation of the Fertilizer
Blending Plant at Bokkos. It is hoped that commercial production will commence
in about three months’ time.
6. PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUSTAINABLE
ENVIRONMENT
In line with the APC principle of embracing
the ideals of continuity in governance and completing all relevant abandoned
ongoing projects, we resumed and completed the construction of many abandoned
metropolitan roads to meet the challenges to motorists and pedestrians while
others are on- going, as follows:
i. Completed the secretariat junction fly
over bridge currently in use;
ii. Completed the House of Assembly complex
Legislative Chamber;
iii. Completed the Plateau state Governor’s
Lodge, Abuja, which was long abandoned;
iv. Completed the Plateau State Geographic
Information System (PLAGIS). It is billed to be commissioned as we mark one
year in office, along with flag off of issuance of Certificate of Occupancy (C
of O). It is envisaged to be a great source of Internally generated revenue for
the benefit of the state;
v. The popular Jos and Bukuru metropolitan
Operation Zero Pothole puts back many roads to their usable form or shape
through filing and rehabilitation of major road networks;
vi. Rehabilitated the Federal Low cost road
network by laying asphalt on the road network.
vii. The construction and completion of
Hillcrest – Plateau Hospital Road; Plateau Hospital – Dental Clinic Roads;
Zololo – Nasarawa Road; Dutse Uku roads; Tudun Wada – Angwan Yashi Roads;
amongst others.
viii. Completion of the Maza road and bridge
within the Maza community in order to provide motorable access to rural
communities around the mountainous fringes of the metropolis;
ix. Reviewed the scope of work for the
construction of the link bridge within the Maza community. The Zandi – Maijuju
Road was mobilized for completion, with direct impact given the enormous
quantity of Agricultural products from Jos East that passed through this axis;
and
x. Large quantities of water treatment
chemicals were procured for the Plateau State Water Board.
xi. Overhauled and repaired the hitherto
non-functional high lift water pump at Yakubu Gowon Treatment Plant leading to
restoration of pumping on the Phase 2;
xii.
Restored water supply and distribution to some communities in Rukuba
road, Kabong, Utan, Alheri areas, etc that hitherto could not get water supply
for periods between 5 and 24 years.
xiii. With joint cooperation of Local
Government Council Transition committee of Pankshin and Shendam, the water
treatment plants have been energized and municipal water supplies restored.
FISCAL DISCIPLINE.
In fulfillment of Section 121 Sub-section (1)
of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, I
presented the 2016 budget, tagged, “Budget of Rescue and Hope” which has been
passed and signed into Law. Given the zero-based nature of the budget, we hope
to run a balanced budget with minimum deficit.
We have therefore streamlined and prioritized vital projects into short,
medium and long term interventions as identified during the Town Hall and
Stakeholders meetings.
I assure you of government’s determination in
its implementation. Furthermore, fiscal discipline would be imbibed in our
expenditure pattern and strict observance in due processes and the Procurement
Act that will produce impact-driven growth in the polity, governance and
general well-being of our people. We hope to deliver our promises to the
electorate in a manner consistent with ideals of practical governance and
accountability.
PLATEAU STATE OF A BETTER TOMORROW.
We strongly believe in driving through our
manifesto for prosperous Plateau of today and tomorrow. In exploring areas of
mutually beneficial relationship, we have begun encouraging medium and
long-terms developments by involving Public Private Partnership (PPP)
mechanisms with all the attendant benefits.
We have also deployed our deep understanding
of the dynamics of our contemporary economic and fiscal situations; bilateral
and institutional linkages and strategic plan for a sustainable State as
demonstrated with some Joint Venture Partnerships and MOUs recently signed.
We shall also continue to clarify issues of
public interest and where necessary take some far reaching decisions in an
effort to protect institutional integrity against rumour mongering and
misinformation.
In this light, I want to use this opportunity
to address the unfortunate rumours that have since gone viral without any
factual basis. These are the rumours on an existing new curriculum for
Secondary Schools that purportedly replace Christian and Islamic Religious
Studies with Civics Education. The second is on a plan by the Federal
Government to create Grazing Reserves and or Ranches for Fulani herdsmen,
through forceful seizure of ancestral land, in all States of the
federation.
On the first issue, while the government has
never been privy to such idea, the National Educational Research Development
Centre (NERDC) has even come out to categorically disclaim the existence of any
such curriculum. Furthermore, if such a curriculum exists, it can only be
binding on a State if the State so wishes, because secondary education is on
the concurrent list in our constitution, with Federal State and Local
Governments as stakeholders.
With respect to the grazing reserves and
ranches, much sentiments and incitements have gone round about mortgaging our
inheritance to aliens. To clear the air, especially as it relates to good
intentions of the government, grazing reserves are simply tracts of land acquired,
developed and set aside for farmers or pastoralists to use in grazing their
Livestock or domesticated animals, with several other agricultural economic
benefits to the state and individuals. A Ranch on the other hand is plot or
piece of land for raising any livestock, which can exist within a grazing
reserve or a backyard.
Furthermore, it is important to note three
fundamental issues: First, acquisition of a reserve is at the pleasure of the
State because the Land Use Act, which gives government control over all land,
still subsists. Second, customary rights
over land are still recognized and therefore nobody is going to seize anybody’s
land to set up a grazing reserve. Third, the establishment of any reserve is
for the use of everybody, who wishes to, but not for a particular set of people
as being erroneously insinuated. There is no compulsion in the establishment or
usage of any grazing reserve. It is
wholly and completely volitional and at the pleasure of the State and the
land-owners.
In this 21st century, nomadism is rarely
practiced in many parts of the world, especially as acquisition and development
of grazing reserves is well known panacea or remedy to resolving the
intractable violent conflicts between farmers and herders as well as cattle
rustling, etc. I assure you that both Federal and State governments have the
best of intention in exhibiting duty of care in this policy initiative.
As we struggle to lay the foundations for a
better Plateau, we should brace ourselves to face the current challenges with
confidence, courage and perseverance. The economic and financial challenges
facing us as a country and State are glaring enough for all to see. While efforts are being made to put in place
measures that will help us weather the storm, the times call for endurance and
sacrifice from all.
It is in this light that my government has
taken the hard and painful decision to suspend for now, all government
patronages that revolve round Fasting, Sallah, Christmas and the sponsorship of
Holy Pilgrimages. We shall review these measures as our financial situation
improves.
CONCLUSION.
Given the above eagle eye view of the array
of our past experiences, our natural endowment and potentials, I wish to
reiterate that our dream of a Plateau State of today and hope of a better
tomorrow is purely borne out of the interest and desire to further explore the
vast human and material resources and economic viability and utilize them for
sustainable growth and development. In subsequent days ahead, government will
pursue and leverage on our areas of discriminating competences vigorously in
order to boost the economy of the state.
Our hospitable and accommodating nature has
made the state the center of attractions for all groups, either for permanent
residency or vacation. On a broader perspective and as a debt of honour to our
state, and for our better today and tomorrow, we shall strive to ensure even
development. We are desirous of ensuring peace and averting systemic failure in
governance. As a clarion call therefore, we should continue to embrace
democratic ideals of constructive criticisms, keep pulling together, not
hanging separately; loving one another and not exhibiting hatred, violence and
other needless vitriolic sentiments.
In conclusion, gradually but surely, with
greater faith as we enter the second year of our administration, through the
much needed synergy and ground breaking solutions to solving our developmental
challenges, we shall strive to touch virtually every sectors and communities. It
is in this respect that we plead for continuous loyalty, patience,
understanding and hard work, which are panacea for sustainable peace, growth
and development.
I wish you all a happy democracy day and
continuous peace and harmony on the Plateau.
Thank you.
Rt. Hon. Barr. Simon B. Lalong,
Executive Governor, Plateau State.
Sunday, 29th May 2016.
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