Herdsmen Killings: Buhari Promise To Restore Lasting Peace In Plateau

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Herdsmen Killings: Buhari Promise To Restore Lasting Peace In Plateau

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Plateau citizens of his administration’s commitment to support and assist the Peace-building Agency of the state government to end the cycle of violence that had bedeviled the state.

He said the state had taken steps leading to a foundation for sustainable peace, while enjoining other states of the Federation to emulate Plateau by setting up similar institutions.

Buhari, who is currently in Jos on a two-day working visit, where he commissioned some projects executed by the Governor of the state, Mr. Simon Bako Lalong and launched Plateau Peace Roadmap, also held a town hall meeting with stakeholders in the state.

“I have been monitoring the activities of the Plateau state Peace-Building Agency; I am indeed quite impressed with gains and successes recorded in the area of conflict management and peace-building , which has returned this state on the path of relative peace.

“As I formally endorse and launch the Plateau State Roadmap to Peace, let me express the Federal Government commitment to support and assist the Peace Building Agency in its effort to arrest the vicious cycle of violence and lay the foundation for sustainable peace,” he said.

Buhari also promised to look into the genuine request for the dualization and construction of the road from Abuja to Jos and the gateway extending to the North East, given the economic viability and conveniences.

He assured Lalong that he will look into his request for more slots for the state in Federal appointments so as to reflect federal character in line with his government’s determination to address the issues of marginalization in the spread of appointments and other privileges.

“The desire of the state to turn Riyom General Hospital to Trauma/Disaster Hospital is a genuine one in view of the location of Riyom as the gateway into the state capital from Abuja. I will direct the Federal Ministry of Health and Federal Road Safety Corps to working close collaboration with the Plateau State Government towards the actualization of this project”, Buhari assured.

In his earlier address, Lalong narrated to the President that he met a dislocated state.

“When this administration came on board on 29th May 2015, the scenario in the state was that of despondency, despair and discomfort, as the citizens were groaning under varying degrees of adverse socio-political and economic conditions.

“The citizenry was even further plunged into life-threatening insecurity challenges with many lives lost and properties wantonly destroyed in the wake of crises and sporadic attacks.

“On the economic front this spectacle of instability had drastically affected the economic well-being of our enterprising women and youth group.

“For the common man, life was very challenging as the government then became helpless”, he lamented.

“Even more pathetic was the backlog of workers’ salaries as Civil Servants were owed arrears of eight (8) months salary, Teachers were owed seven (7) months and most pathetic too was unpaid Pensions of over twelve (12) months and thirteen (13) in some Local Governments.

“We also met a seriously demoralized Civil Service characterized by low performance and productivity due to neglect of staff welfare and training. This gloomy scenario was in the face of a staggering debt profile of over two hundred and twenty two billion Naira (N222,000,000,000), which we inherited. The prospects of getting out of these tragic spectacles at first looked almost impossible, were it not for our resilience and Mr. President’s timely interventions in critical areas of need”, he added.

According to the governor, the secret behind the success story of his administration, “lies in our vision, commitment, trust, painful sacrifice and judicious use of limited resources. It may also interest Mr. President to know that the 5-Pillar Policy Thrust of my administration has remained the Trojan horse on which we rode towards tackling the enormous developmental challenges confronting us in this state.

“These Policy Thrusts include Peace, Security and Good Governance; Human Capital Development and Social Welfare; Agriculture and Rural Development; Entrepreneurship and Industrialization, and Physical Infrastructure and Environment. These policy thrusts are targeted at meeting the peculiar developmental aspirations of the Plateau citizens, while taking into consideration contemporary economic challenges and our new normal in the areas of Agriculture, Mining and Tourism”.

However, a Christian group under the aegis of Arewa Christians and Indigenous Pastors Association (ACIPA) has condemned the re-naming of Mararaban Jama’a – Bukuru road after President Muhammadu Buhari by Lalong.

Lalong had on Thursday re-named the newly constructed road after the President, who commissioned it and other projects.

The group in a press statement signed by Reverend Luke Shehu, rejected the re-naming, describing it as “obvious blunder of Governor Lalong in a desperate effort to please the Grand patron of Fulani, flag bearer of Danfodio Jihad and the recently coronated Bayajidda. Not only did Lalong mischievously claim credit for Jang’s PDP projects, Lalong has just re-named the Mararaban Jama’a to Bukuru express way after Muhammadu Buhari.

“Lalong does not know the relevance of Mararaban Jama’a road as a gateway to Jos.”

“The entire Plateau people must arise and protect our collective heritage and value before the hangman’s noose is pulled under our very eyes”, he stressed.

Aside from the Mararaban Jama’a road, the President also commissioned Secretariat Junction Flyover and Miango Road before proceeding to the Gbong Gwom palace where he met with the state traditional council.

It was, however, gathered that most of the projects were commenced by the past Governor of the state, Jonah David Jang, but completed by Lalong.

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