WHAT I WILL DO DIFFERENTLY FOR THE OVERALL PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT OF PANKSHIN LGC WHEN ELECTED AS COUNCIL CHAIRMAN.

 Going through history lane, one will understand that Pankshin is one of the oldest local governments in Plateau state and sadly, one of the most underdeveloped local governments. 

The sad reality above is a thing of serious concerns that requires deep and sober reflections. Despite both federal and state presence in the local government through institutions and other establishments, the reality still remains that Pankshin is one of the underdeveloped local governments in Plateau state.
To solve the sad reality above about the local government, a different approach must be employed and that is exactly what I intend to do. Haven had quality time to look and think deep about the local government, I intend to employ an entirely different approach that will see Pankshin become an enviable local government in Plateau state and Nigeria by extension

I have carefully brought out four policy thrust through which my different approach shall be imbedded in.

(1) PEACE AND SECURITY .
Base on research, one of the main reasons why Pankshin remains underdeveloped is because of the fear of safety of businesses and properties. A lot of people are afraid to situate their businesses in the local government because of the history of arm robbery in the local.

For any meaningful development to take place, there must be a level playing ground for smooth operation. This cannot be achieved without peace and security. Therefore, providing peace and security will be my topmost priority to give hope and assurance to those willing to do businesses in the local government.
As stated, There is no gain saying that peace and security is the most potent fulcrum of development of every society.
Without peace, it impliedly means that development will be stunted or completely absent.
It is my desire that the peaceful nature for which Pankshin Local Government Area is known for, will be maintained if not improved upon.
In my quest to ensure such ideal is continuously made manifest in the lives of our people, major stakeholders in the peace building process will be fully engaged in ensuring that we (as a people) remain the ever hospitable local government area we are known for. Our traditional rulers at various levels will be accorded their traditional roles in the process. I will ensure that periodic meetings with this highly respected Cadre of the society is given utmost priority. Again, the security agencies (The Military, The police, Civil Defence, Immigration as well as our local Vigilante group etc) will always be kept in touch in order to ensure they remain proactive rather than reactive on issues that concern the lives and property of our dear people.
These and many more shall be marshaled out in our plans aimed at securing the good people of Pankshin Local Government Area as a whole.

(2) ECONOMY
The economy of every society stands out as the major determinant of development of such a society.
That is exactly why it is always Said that “when the economy of a society is negatively affected, every sector of the society sinks”.
It is for this reason that, when given the opportunity to serve the good people of Pankshin Local Government Area, I shall, without mincing words, swing into action in the aspect of revamping the economic activities of the area to ensure they are made more viable.
This, I shall, in collaboration with my Council Members, do through the building and expansion of market stalls in our major and local markets, making sure that important farm inputs(such as fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, herbicides etc) are made available and affordable to our farmers in the rural areas and also smoothening the transport mechanism in the local government etc. We all know that putting into place these measures will help boost productivity and such will translate into a positive multiplier effect through a more revamped revenue base that will be Channeled into the development of the our dear Local Government Area.
Pankshin Local Government Area is known for its agrarian nature(tomato, rice maize, etc production) and so will not be left behind in such productivity.
As a business minded person, I shall ensure that business opportunities are provided for our people such that they will be meaningfully engaged. I shall use my business acumen to attract investors from within and outside the local government, state and country to increase our revenue base and provide job opportunities for our people.

(3) EDUCATION .

The level of education of a society determines its development, hence no society can develop beyond its education level.
Pankshin Local Government Area is well situated and known as the bastion of education in not just Plateau State but in North Central Nigeria. This cannot be contested as the facts are conspicuously seen.
This is no doubt as a result of the sheer determination of our people in ensuring that resources are intently deployed into the development of our children right from the kindergarten through the highest citadel of learning.
It is as a result of this, that when the opportunity abounds for me to serve, I will ensure that education is given a major priority in my administration. The Primary Education which is under the Local Government Area will be given serious attention by my administration through structural re-engineering of the various primary schools we have within the Local Government Area.
Capacity building for our teachers will always be planned for them to increase their intellectual prowess in handling and imparting the requisite knowledge in our children.
Teachers, who remain the most important ingredient in the education sector, will be treated as First Class citizens. This, we shall do by ensuring that their salaries and other fringe benefits are accorded them at the right time.

(4) YOUTH /WOMEN EMPOWERMENT.
“Build the Youths, build the Nation”
Again, “when you empower a man, you have succeeded in empowering an individual, but when you empower a woman, you empower a whole nation”
These two quotes are quite in line with our policy. The youths and women form the bulk of the active population of every given society in Nigeria and especially in Pankshin Local Government Area.
For this reason, our administration will not treat their demands with kid gloves. Priority will be given to these category since they remain the engine room of every productivity within the Area. It is said that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. Therefore, We shall do everything within the available resources to ensure that the youths and the women are fully engaged so that they will be productive in their homes, businesses and so on.
This will take their minds off any evil activity and that again will propel development in our society.
Women/Youths shall be meaningfully engaged and we shall do that by harnessing their God-given potentials. We shall do these by encouraging grassroot sports and encouraging people with different kind of talents. Women/youths with disabilities shall equally be given attention with the aim of bettering their lives.

(5) WORKERS’ WELFARE
Every worker deserves his/her wages. This is scriptural!
Workers are the administrative engine room of every government.
It is therefore incumbent on us as a council to always take the welfare of our workers very seriously. Infact, if there is any area that should be neglected, The Civil Service (Workers) must be the last to be neglected in our administration.
We shall continue to make available the salaries of our workers a topmost priority and I assure you that workers under my watch will always receive their salaries as and when due.

The above POLICY THRUST shall form a foundation on which our administration will be built.
With the support of my council members, stakeholders and all, we assure you of our unfettered delivery when given the opportunity by you.

I look forward to receiving your overwhelming support to enable us succeed in our quest to better the loads of our people by entirely changing the face of Pankshin LGC.

ROTSHAK GIDEON YOKDEN!

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WHAT I WILL DO DIFFERENTLY FOR THE OVERALL PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT OF PANKSHIN LGC WHEN ELECTED AS COUNCIL CHAIRMAN.

| Politics |
About The Author
- Studied Mass Communication from the University of Jos. He is a Media Consultant, Journalist, a blogger, public relations practitioner and an advocate for social justice.