AS the All Progressive Congress,
APC-led government in Plateau
state clocks two years in office,
some citizens of Plateau State have
assessed the administration of Governor
Simon Lalong ,and have expressed
satisfaction with his performance
since he came into office on
May 29, 2015.
Most of the citizens who spoke to
our correspondent called on him to
continue to do more for the citizens
of the state .
Peter Biyai, a citizen of Plateau
stat said Governor Lalong has done
well in providing dividends of democracy
to the people of the state
in the past two years despite the
economic recession in the country.
Speaking to our correspondent, he
said “Gov Lalong should be commended
for completing some projects
he inherited from the previous
administration and for the clearance
of salaries and arrears of civil
servants.
“To be fair to him he has done
well in providing dividends of democracy
to Plateau people, we are
hopeful that he would do more for
the people of Plateau in the coming
years “
Remark Ditep, another citizen
of Plateau said “Governor Lalong
has done well in governing Plateau
stressing that he has been so
transparent in governance Lalong
has been doing well on his plans to
boost commercial activities in the
state ,and for restoring lasting peace
to Plateau, I call on citizens of the
state to continue to support his administration
,he added .
Solomon Goje, another citizen of
Plateau from Bassa LGA said “for
us in Plateau the APC government
led by Simon Lalong is doing excellently
well in providing dividends
of democracy to Plateau people, we
are in support of our governor and
we are behind him.
Markus Gyang , a member of the
By Golok Nanmwa
PDP in the state, however called on the
governor to do more for the people.
He said “Yes the governor might he
be doing well in payment of salaries,
but we want to do more infrastructural
development as he promised on assumption
of office two years ago”
On assumption of office on May 29,
2015, Governor Lalong had said “Our
government would do everything to
reduce the human sufferings by uplifting
the quality of life of a vast majority
of our people. Ours is a promise to
create opportunities not just for those
with the money and influence, but
for every Plateau citizen who desires
to have a meaningful and productive
life.”
Gov Lalong had inherited backlog of
salaries and pension running into billions
of naira and a huge debt profile
from the immediate past administration.
Speaking to newsmen about two
years ago, on assumption of office the
governor said he believe that in spite
of the trials and tribulations, he shall
overcome.
He said “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 “.
Speaking on the two years of office
of the present administration Management
committee chairman of Riyom
local government said the governor
has fulfilled some of his campaign
promises.
“He has restored lasting peace in
Plateau; he is providing dividends of
democracy to those at the grassroot.
Lalong just revived the Highland bottling
company which was abandoned
for over 20 years. Our farmers are being
empowered with fertilizer and
improved seedlings as well as farming
tools.
“Gov Lalong is doing well by giving
Plateau people a sense of belonging,”
he said.
To provide more dividends of democracy
to the people of the state, the
Plateau state government has said the
Simon Lalong-led administration is
committed to enhancing the quality of
life of all citizens of the state, and called
on the people of the state to join hands
with the governor to bring to enhance
infrastructural and economic development
in the state.
Commissioner for Finance in the
State, Mrs Tamwakat Weli, stated this
while addressing newsmen in Jos,
stressing that one of the priority of the
Lalong-led administration is to better
the lives of civil servants , pensioners
and the general citizens.
She said “despite the lean resources
and problems inherited this administration
has kept faith with its promises
of completing the ongoing road
projects that were started by the last
administration and completed by this
administration .
The commissioner said among the
projects are the Secretariat Junction
flyover, Jos -Mazah road ,Bokkos university
road network, Mangu -Gindiri-
Lere -Kaduna -Baking Kogi-Foron
road .
“Others are Federal low cost road,
Dental clinic Dogon Karfe, Great commission
road network, Zololo junction
-Nassarawa Gwong road and
others.
“In addition over twenty roads
were rehabilitated in Jos and Bukuru
Metropolis.
“Also aggressive works are ongoing
on some road projects in the state.
“Further more consultancy services
for the design for 16 new roads projects
have been completed and these
roads will soon be awarded, in addition
government released funds to
restore electricity supply to the state
Secretariat complex with armored cable
as other equipment were vandalized
and stolen during its renovation.
The state government also procured
14 Hilux Vehicles for the ministry
of Works and Transport for effective
Traffic management and revenue
generation by the Vehicle Inspection
office VIO .
“This administration has commissioned
the Plateau Geographical Information
System, PLAGIS project.
With this applicants are no longer
denied land titles and the process of
securing it has been made less cmbersome
with a 21-day delivery period.
Government has magnanimously
approved a downward review of the
rates by 50 percent for land to encourage
land owners.
“State government has released
counterpart contribution for the construction
of 340 boreholes in Riyom
and Shendam local government areas.
This programme is being sponsored
by the EU-UNICEF project
through the Plateau state Water Board
and Plateau Rural Water supply and
Sanitation agency .
She also said “The Rescue administration
led by Simon Lalong has also
remained committed to human capital
development with the payment
of students scholarship allowance
through the release of over two hundred
million naira for the payment of
allowances to Plateau state students
in higher institutions spread across
the country.
“The health sector has also received
the desired attention of government.
In addition to the renovation and
construction of General and cottage
hospitals in the state, the state primary
Health care development agency
fully took off ,the adminstration procured
five ambulances which have
been distributed to General hospitals
in the state.
“This administration has remained
faithful to its obligations to the National
Youth service Corps with the
timely release of funds for its operations
and the provision of facilities at
the camp.
“Work is also in progress at the Ultra
modern stadium along Goodluck
Ebele Jonathan Way (formerly Zaira
road).”
Mrs. Weli called on citizens of
the state to continue to support the
Lalong-led administration as it is determined
to do more for the people of
the state
In a related development, Plateau
Regeneration Group in a statement
made available to newsmen passed
a vote of confidence on Gov Lalong
and called on him to continue to better
the lives of citizens of the state.
A statement jointly signed by
Nagelu Garba, the president of the
group and Pius Hommen, the Secretary
read in part: “We commend
Lalong for his efforts at reviving
moribund companies in Plateau.
Lalong’s achievement can be felt
in most sectors in Plateau. We commend
Lalong for empowering over
3,000 youths in the state in the past
one year and his efforts at boosting
agriculture in Plateau .
“Lalong should be commended
for his efforts at boosting IGR of
the state.”
The group also hailed the commissioner
for Lands and Survey,
Barrister Festus Fantuer for his efforts
at sanitizing the ministry of
Lands and the director of press affairs
to Lalong ,Emmanuel Nanle
for his cordial relationship with the
media.
In a related development, farmers
in Plateau under the aegis of
Plateau state chapter of All Farmers
Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has
commended the state government
for its prompt distribution of fertilizers
to farmers in the state, stressing
that this action of Gov Lalong
would motive farmers endure
bumper harvest.
Caretaker chairman of AFAN in
Plateau, Mr. Philip Azi, commended
the governor while speaking
with newsmen on the two years of
office of Gov Lalong.
He said the early distribution of
fertilizer to farmers is the first of its
kind in the state, as most farmers
often have access to the commodity
after the crop planting period.
“This is the first time government
would launch fertilizer distribution
and sales to farmers at subsidized
rate even before the rains sets in. Before
fertilizer usually get to farmers
very late, most time after the planting
season. We call on Lalong to continue
to do more for farmers ,he added.
Similarity Speaking to newsmen
recently in Jos , Senator representing
Plateau central in the National Assembly
Senator Joshua Dariye had
said that he is a
supporter of Gov Simon Lalong of
Plateau by conviction and not
convenience.
Dariye said that he knows
Lalong’s antecedents since when he
was the Speaker of Plateau House
of Assembly. The senator said that
Lalong who was the second youngest
governor of Plateau after him
(Dariye) has proved his doubters
wrong within a short time.

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Gov. Lalong Mid-Term Performance Index – By Golok Nanmwa