Pankshin south constituency strengthens bond of unity: resolves to push for unprecedented development

Friday 3rd October, 2025 was a memorable day for the people of Pankshin South constituency as notable leaders and critical stakeholders gathered for a town hall meeting in Chip. The town hall meeting convened at the instance of Pankshin South Forum of Presidents of Community Development Associations was themed “The Unity of Pankshin South Constituency: A Catalyst for Development”.

While setting the tone for the conversation, the guest speaker, Dr. Makrop Longshak noted that with unity, there is nothing that cannot be achieved. He spoke on the topic: “Unity: A Catalyst for the Development of Pankshin South Constituency” (paraphrased from the theme of the meeting). Dr. Makrop expressed happiness with the choice of the theme and the choice of the word catalyst which reflects the potency of a substance to have lasting impact on a particular phenomenon and in this case, using “our unity to achieve certain goals such as getting placed in strategic positions”. “After the achievement of goals then what next? That is where the question of development comes in”, the guest speaker said. He encouraged the discussants at the meeting to articulate the issues surrounding the development of the constituency and advance the way forward to enable practical steps to be taken going forward.

Earlier in a welcome address, the national president of Mhiship Community and Cultural Development Association (MCCDA), CC Martins Ayuba Dapel rtd stated that this was the first of its kind town hall meeting which goes beyond the participants as merely individuals but as a united family with a common destiny bound by love for Pankshin South Constituency and the desire to see it flourish. He described the gathering as “the beginning of a culture of openness, accountability and dialogue between leaders and the people— a platform where every voice matters, where ideas are freely shared, challenges highlighted and solutions proposed to move the constituency forward”. CC Martins called on the participants to rise above politics, religion or ethnicity and focus on the common good of the constituency.

Presidents of the various ethnic nationalities that make up Pankshin South Constituency made presentations before the great gathering. The presentations were centered on issues within their domains and how they relate to the broader Pankshin South community, identifying areas of synergy and strategic collaborations, networking, interconnectivity and solidarity. Reactions came from elders/stakeholders, women and youth groups and the deputy president of Plateau Initiative for the Development and Advancement of the Natives (PIDAN) who doubles as the PIDAN Central Zone Chairman, Comr. Alpha John Dakwak who all advanced ideas that form the ways forward for progress based on the issues raised.

The meeting was attended by political office holders at the federal, state and local government levels who are of Pankshin South extraction. Also in attendance were the paramount traditional rulers from each of the chiefdoms in the constituency made up of Mishkom Mupun, Da Yusuf Fwangbring Walle, the Long Mhiship, Nda Sunday Dajep Dasha II, the Gwolong Tal Nanleng Yusuf Gutus and the Gupai of Pai, Uda Gipye Lomgocha D. Tarot.

Goodwill messages came from the councillors of the ten electoral wards that make up Pankshin South Constituency, Hon. Tanat on behalf of the House of Assembly member representing the constituency, the deputy chairman of Pankshin Local Government Council Hon. John Caleb Dasar, CAN, traditional rulers and the commissioner of finance Plateau state Hon. Domgkum Grace Shwarta represented by Hon. Jacob Bitmang.

The meeting resolved to issue a communiqué that will serve as a blueprint, working guide and key performance indicator that will guide all leaders in attracting development to the constituency. A vote of thanks came from PIDAN deputy president and PIDAN Central Zone chairman, Comr. Alpha John Dakwak who took time to elaborate on the varying degrees of contributions made by all who were instrumental to the success of the meeting.