Barr. Lalong holds interactive session with Plateau State Association (PSA) UK

The Plateau state governor, Barr. Simon Lalong has held an interactive session with members of the Plateau State Association (PSA) in London.

Returning from the UK trade & Export Finance Conference in Liverpool (as one of two governors in Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo’s delegation), Barr. Lalong stopped in London and spent 3 hours discussing sundry issues with PSA members and ViewPointNigeria.

Describing the achievements of his administration in the past year –he said a lot has been achieved in various aspects of the economy, considering the meagre funds available.

Re-iterating the focus of his government, he said his administration has sought to focus on 5 key policy areas, which are – 1. Peace 2. Entrepreneurship 3. Agriculture 4. Tourism 5. Human capacity development

He outlined the achievements in these 5 policy areas as follows:

Peace: The frequent bomb blasts which characterized most of the past few years, with occurrences in Angwan Rukuba, Bauchi Road, Bauchi Park, St. Finbarrs, COCIN HQ etc have been eradicated. Prior to coming into office there was 1 bomb attack almost every 3 months – now there hasn’t been any for the past 6 months.

Also attacks by herdsmen which decimated hundreds and displaced thousands – with frequency of approx. 8 people killed every week, has now been effectively eradicated –with only very infrequent cases of attacks at the moment.

2. Entrepreneurship: Strategic partnerships are currently being established with foreign investors in the areas of mining, industry development and agriculture.

In the area of mining, several Chinese investors have expressed interest in further exploring lead, zinc and other resources in Wase LGA, these partners have visited Plateau and work is currently ongoing to work-out the terms of engagement.

In respect of industry development, he made statements to the effect that:

The old BRITVIC bottling company in Barkin Ladi has now been revitalised and has commenced production.
The Jos International Breweries (JIB) is currently being re-assessed and work will soon commence to get it back to production
Jos Main Market: 12 companies have already lodged their bid for the construction of the market (via PPP).
Fertilizer blending Plant: Work has commenced on the site to determine modalities for bringing it back to production.

3. Agriculture: The agricultural sector which suffered near paralytic neglect in the past few years has enjoyed resurgence with many new policies being implemented out including:

Payment of counterpart funding: The Government has paid the counterpart funds of N50 million for the Fadama II potato value chain project sponsored by the African Development Bank (ADB). In addition, counterpart funds for the Fadama III project, which had to do with the establishment of the Fadama Micro-finance bank was been settled. And finally, the rice and wheat project grant from the federal government, which has a potential value of up to N14 billions has Plateau as one of the fore-front states to benefit.

BARC Farms: The hallmark of Plateau agricultural pride, which was sold callously at a give- away price to Rear Admiral Murtala Nyako is currently being queued up for re-acquisition. Discussions with the current owners have gone far and the farm should become a Plateau asset in no distant future.

Panyam fish farm: Government will inject fresh funds into the farm in order to rejuvenate it.

4. Tourism: Several comatose and moribund tourist attractions in the state are being prepped up for attention. In scope are the Pandang game reserve and several other attractions.

5. Human capital development – The governing council of the Plateau State University, Bokkos was reconstituted, leading to the accreditation of all 17 courses at the University. First convocation is slated for November 2016.

Speaking about the much heated grazing reserves issue, Lalong described the controversy as simply a mis-understanding of government’s intentions. He said simply put, what people are calling a grazing reserve is what can be best be described as a “Farming village”. What government is seeking to do is to create an agricultural means through which all farmers (goat rearers, pig rearers, cattle herders etc) will be accommodated in designated area and then proven 21^st century animal husbandry practices (e.g., animal vaccination, milking, animal tracking, refrigeration etc) will be provided to enable the farmers better take care of their animals and pay taxes to government. The policy does not have any diabolical intention to serve an expansionist agenda, but rather it is one of the federal government’s strategy to diversify the Nigerian economy away from oil and gas. He expressed disappointment at the way discussions about the policy took political and ethnic dimensions, saying it is unhealthy for our democracy.

Above: PSA Vice President – Mr. Elijah Sambo presiding over the interactive session with Mr. Rwang Chall (PSA Secretary General) and Rev. Kefas Tang’an (COCIN UK Pastor) inset.

Above: PSA Vice President – Mr. Elijah Sambo presiding over the interactive session with Mr. Rwang Chall (PSA Secretary General), Rev. Kefas Tang’an (COCIN UK Pastor) and Mr. Pamtex Davou inset.

Above: A section of PSA members with His Excellency Barrister Simon Lalong inset

Above: A cross-section of PSA UK members

Above: Vice President of PSA Mr. Elijah Sambo making a point, with H.E. Barrister Simon Lalong and Dr. Gabriel Longpet in set.

Above: A cross-section of PSA UK members

Above: Mr. Moses Kallamu and Mr. Benjamin Pusut, with Mrs Longpet inset

Above: Mr Leo Ibrahim and Dr. Gabriel Hale Longpet (Chairman of PSA charity committee)

Above: Mr. Moses Kalamu speaking on behalf of the PSA business community

Above: His Excellency Barrister Simon Lalong making his address

Above: Barrister Simon Lalong describing his administration’s policy decisions

Above: His Excellency, Barrister Simon Lalong

Above: His Excellency Barrister Simon Lalong in a tete-a-tete with PSA Vice President Mr. Elijah Sambo

Above: Mr. George Longjan, making a contribution

Above: Mr. Yakubu Choji and Barrister Simon Lalong

Above: PSA members with Barrister Simon Lalong. Sitting down from Left to Right: Rev. Kefas Tang’an, Mrs. Josephine Choji, Barrister Simon Lalong, Mr. Elijah Sambo, Mr. Rwang Chall. Standing up from Left to Right: Mr. Leo Ibrahim, Mrs. Unity Longjan, Mr. George Longjan, Mr. Rawling Datir, Dr. Hale Longpet, Mr. John Kim, Mr. Moses Kallamu, Mr. Benjamin Pusmut, Mr. Homsuuk Swomen, Mr. Yakubu Choji

Above: PSA members with Barrister Simon Lalong. Sitting down from Left to Right: Rev. Kefas Tang’an, Mrs. Josephine Choji, Barrister Simon Lalong, Mr. Elijah Sambo, Mr. Rwang Chall, Mrs. Unity and Pallat Longjan. Standing up from Left to Right: Mr. Leo Ibrahim, Mr. George Longjan, Dr. Hale Longpet, Mr. Rawlings Datir, Mr. John Kim, Mr. Moses Kallamu, Mr. Pamtex Davou, Mr. Benjamin Pusmut, Mr. Hoomsuk Swomen, Mr. Yakubu Choji, Mr. John Naandoet (Special assistant to Barr Lalong)

Above: Mrs. Josephine Choji, Barrister Simon Lalong and Mr. Elijah Sambo

Above: PSA members with Barrister Simon Lalong. Sitting down from Left to Right: Rev. Kefas Tang’an, Mrs. Josephine Choji, Barrister Simon Lalong, Mr. Elijah Sambo, Mr. Rwang Chall, Mrs. Unity and Pallat Longjan. Standing up from Left to Right: Mr. Leo Ibrahim, Mr. George Longjan, Dr. Hale Longpet, Mr. Rawlings Datir, Mr. John Kim, Mr. Moses Kallamu, Mr. Pamtex Davou, Mr. Benjamin Pusmut, Mr. Homsuuk Swomen, Mr. Yakubu Choji, Mr. John Naandoet (Special assistant to Barr Lalong)