Rep. I. D. Gyang Speaks on Present Achievements and Future Plans

1. Who is Rep. I.D. Gyang?   

I am the people’s voice and representative in Nigeria’s parliament, the National Assembly.
I was born in Fan, B/Ladi LG way back from 1963
I was at GSS Riyom from 1976-1981 where I emerged as the overall best graduating student in 1981.
I had my first Degree in International Studies from the foremost ABU Zaria in 1986 and also had an LLB Degree in Law from University of Jos and BL from Nigerian Law School. I was called to the Bar in 2005.
I worked in the Plateau State Civil Service as an Admin Officer and rose to the echelon as a Permanent Secretary from 1990 – 2014.
I got elected into the National Assembly as member representing B/Ladi-Riyom Federal Contituency in 2015 for a four year tenure ending in May 2019.

2. What motivated you to join politics?          

Passion for service, betterment of the lot of the people, entrenching good governance, equity and social justice.

While in the Plateau State Civil Sevice, I served in the Cabinet and Special Services Department. I was privileged to serve under not less than 5 Governors covering both the Executive Council and the State Security Council.
This brought me face to face with statecraft and governance particularly as it has to do with critical decisions and actions of government and the impact of such decisions and actions on the people and as it relates to progress and development of the state or the lack of it.
By privilege of this exposure, I gain understanding that governmental institutions have the greatest and highest capacity to birth either good or harm, development or backwardness, advancement or retardation depending on the person(s) in leadership.

I see politics therefore as an opportunity to access the very institution of government to be in a position to influence governance for the good of the people.
Politics to me is both a necessity and responsibility that has to be taken to seek the good of the people and advance the cause of social justice, equity and good governance.

 3. You recently started a campaign branded bring back our land. What is this project all about?

The Bring Back  Our Land (BBOL) is a CRY and ADVOCACY that  arose from the pain and trauma of the humanitarian crisis visited upon communities in Plateau state and other states of the federation that are victims of terror attacks in pursuit of a well planned and brutally executed land grabbing agenda by killer herdsmen.
The land grabbing driven attacks and massacre is meant to cleanse the native inhabitants from their ancestral lands after which the land is taken over for permanent occupation by herdsmen.

The BBOL call and cry places a DEMAND on government to recover all lands under illegal occupation by herdsmen to  restore, resettle and reintegrate all displaced persons and communities back to their ancestral lands and socio economic mileu.

This demand is predicated on the fact that government has the primary constitutional responsibility to protect and secure the lives and property of citizens.
This is the demand and mission of BBOL.

4. What must be done to stop Herdsmen Farmers clashes.

Coexistence between Farmers and Hersdmen is an age old phenomenon.

What has change however is that while issues of encroachment on farm crops were amicably resolved through community heads and traditional institutions, it has now been overtaken by criminality, violent terror attacks and killing purposely for land grabbing and displacement for permanent occupation.
Now that this issue has assumed the dimension of terrorism and genocide, tackling it requires the twin approach of decisive law enforcement and prompt justice administration to effectively check the killer bandits and terror militia.

Those pursuing the agenda of land grabbing for illegal occupation through terror attacks must be brought to justice. All lands under illegal occupation must be returned to the rightful owners. Furthermore, the displaced ancestral owners should be assisted by government and the international community to resettle back on their lands. The era of acquiring land or territory through  conquest is long gone.
Government must take responsibility as demanded by the constitution in safeguarding the lives and property of all law abiding citizens whether Farmers or Herdsmen.
No criminal whether a land grabber or cattle rustler should be spared from arrest and prosecution.

Violence must never be an option in resolving disagreements and conflicting interests, rather constructive engagement and dialogue remains veritable tools of building understanding and promoting harmonious communal coexistence.
Simply put, law enforcement and justice against criminals on the one hand and on the other, dialogue and constructive engagement for peace loving citizens, farmers and herders alike is what is required as a lasting solution under the prevailing circumstances.

5. What contribution (s) have you made in the NASS since you assumed office three years ago?

Thanks for this question.
I have been a voice for my people by loudly and boldly drawing national and global attention to their plight, concerns and pains thus attracting national and international outcry to the humanitarian crisis arising from violent terror attacks and displacement that has characterised my constituency and other communities in Plateau state for appropriate intervention.

The other aspects of a legislators mandate such as law making, oversighting the Executive arm of government and representation have seen my active and effective participation and performance.

God has enabled me to raise the bar of representation to an all time high on all the rating points and performance indices as far as my constituency is concern.
In the axis of law making,  I sponsored over 20 Bills covering the critical sectors of our national life.

In this month of August, 2018, one of my Bills, that for the establishment of the Medical Laboratory school of Technology, Jos was signed into Law by the President. This has provided the institution with the necessary legal framework and backing that authenticates its existence and the integrity of its courses/ certificates. It has put to rest attempts to move the institution out of Plateau state as is the case with many such Federal establishments in the state.
I have through motions and active participation in debates on the floor of the House influence the resolutions of the House on key national issues.

I have attracted government presence through Constituency Projects delivery too numerous to be listed here. A sample of the many projects include education sector in which we built and renovated 4 secondary and primary schools and awarded scholarships to over 300 students; built a medical centre and carried out medical outreaches in the health sector; human capital development witnessed training and skill acquisition, employment of over 50 youths in Federal MDAs, the Military,  Police and Para military agencies; commerce and entrepreneurship witnessed two rural markets of 90 shops each, provided empowerment for men, women and youths with starter packs and items for income generating endeavours. Others are rural roads and  electrification, water supply and sanitation having both solar and hand held bireholes. The agricultural sector saw the distribution of fertilizers and water pumps for all seasons farming.
The social sector had a modern town hall while Peace advocacy and rallies were held in all districts to constructively engage and involve the people in peace promotion and peace building efforts.
In all modesty, my performance has raised the bar far higher and indeed set a record for the constituency.
In all, I can gladly submit that I have had a robust and vibrant, people impacting legislative engagement.

 6. What would your people expect from you if you become a Senator?                                    
Just as my present performance and rating as the people’s representative in NASS has raised the bar and set a record performance  in my constituency, I shall replicate, expand and upgrade on the capacity we have built to give Plateau North credible and result oriented representation that will positively impact the entire zone with people oriented programmes and projects. In this regard, we shall ensure fairness and equity under an all inclusive representative agenda.

I shall boldly canvass the issues that concerns the people and ensure that they are actively involed in shaping the destiny of the nation.
They shall be seen, heard and respected through my representation.

I shall also be a Senator in whom all people shall freely identify with, having zero tolerance for ethnic and religious bias or prejudice. This I shall do through inclusive representation that is accessible, all embracing and accommodating.

I  shall be a platform for the promotion of communical harmony and peaceful coexistence. We shall advocate respect for  both citizenship and customary rights of the peole and  pursue social integration.

As one that has had a passion and heart for Youth Development, I shall give the youth a pride of place and consciously pursue a youth and students friendly legislative programming for youth empowerment, skills acquisition, scholarship awards, and employment generation to gainfully engage our youth.

We shall effectively and positively manage the plurality and diversity of Plateau North and transform it from negativity to positivity and turn the inherent adversity into opportunity for the good of all.

7. What is your dream for Plateau State in the next firve years?

My dream of Plateau state is one with a visionary and compassionate  leadership that has the will, passion, capacity and determination to change the fortunes of the state for the better. One that will engender good and inclusive governance thus erasing doubts, suspicion, apprehension, and the fear of marginalization and exclusion.
A leadership that can effectively manage the plurality and diversity of the state and change the perception of negativity to building understanding, accommodation, confidence, community and sense of togetherness and oneness. A leadership that is genuinely selfless, altruistic, all embracing and accommodating,  not a leadership that is parochial, deceptive and manipulative.

I envision a crisis free Plateau state where communities and citizens coexist peacefully, upholding and respecting both citizenship and customary rights of each other.

I envision a Plateau state where all persons and cummunities displaced by violent attacks are returned and  resettled on their ancestral lands and reintegrated into safe and harmonious communal coexistence

I envision a Plateau state with a leadership that has the capacity and commitment to constructively engage the people in institutionalizing peace building and entrenching the culture of dialogue.

I envision a Plateau state with funtional infrastructure, mordern agricultural practices, enhanced healthcare dilvery, upgraded and expanded education and learning opportunities,  strong and resilient public institutions, a vibrant private sector and an entrenched entrepreneural culture, a resourceful, well motivated and more productive work force, etc.

Plateau state in the next five years is going to be a reflection and product of the quality of  leadership and person (s) in government.
The decision of the people of Plateau state in the 2019 election will determine who assumes the reigns of governance in the state.

I therefore urge Plateau people to exercise their franchise wisely to usher in a leadership that will engender good governance and bring to realisation the Plateau of our dream.

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Rep. I. D. Gyang Speaks on Present Achievements and Future Plans