Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, in a recent interview in Jos, reflected on the progress made by his administration since assuming office in May 2023. He spoke extensively on security, infrastructure, workers’ welfare, and agricultural reform, among other achievements.
Restoring Hope and Rebuilding Trust
Governor Mutfwang began by expressing gratitude to the people of Plateau State for their continued support, stating that his administration has prioritized inclusive leadership without bias.
“We have restored hope and confidence in governance and are driving inclusive development across all segments of the state,” he said.
He also acknowledged the media’s role, urging responsible journalism that builds rather than undermines the state’s progress.
Addressing Insecurity Head-On
Reflecting on his first days in office, Mutfwang noted that one of the immediate challenges was insecurity.
“We convened a security council meeting just two days after our inauguration and discovered that none had been held for nearly a year. That told us how critical the situation was,” he said.
Though security challenges persist, the governor emphasized that intelligence-based interventions have helped reduce the threat significantly.
“No local government area is completely inaccessible. We’ve pushed back threats, especially in Wase LGA, where we’ve now reclaimed land and reopened the grazing reserve for investment,” he noted.
He also highlighted the revitalization of Operation Rainbow, Plateau’s community-based security outfit, which now works in synergy with federal agencies.
Prioritizing Leadership Over Politics
Governor Mutfwang emphasized that his administration is driven by purposeful leadership rather than politics.
“I often say I’m not a politician—I’m in politics only as a platform to serve. What we promised the people was leadership, and that’s what we’re delivering,” he said.
According to him, one of the biggest achievements of his government is the restoration of faith in governance.
“We’ve shown our people that government is not a place for deception. We’ve brought hope back.”
Workers’ Welfare and Public Service Reforms
On assuming office, the administration inherited over four months of unpaid salaries. Within the first two months, the government resolved salary backlogs and implemented the new minimum wage.
“Payment of salaries is not an achievement; it’s a duty. But we went beyond that. We improved the work environment, revived staff training, and brought dignity back to the civil service.”
He noted that many civil servants previously had to conduct official business from private business centers due to poor office conditions—something the administration has corrected.
Cushioning Fuel Subsidy Removal
Speaking on economic relief measures following the removal of fuel subsidy, Mutfwang said his government prioritized long-term interventions.
“Rather than share palliatives, we invested in the transport sector to reduce daily costs. On average, each commuter now saves about ₦50,000 monthly using our subsidized public transport system.”
He also referenced efforts to revive rail services in partnership with the Nigerian Railway Corporation, noting that the train service is now operational.
In addition, the administration signed an MoU with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to upgrade the Jos Airport to a cargo international hub.
“This will transform Plateau into a regional center for cargo aviation,” the governor stated.
Infrastructure and Continuity
Governor Mutfwang revealed that many of the ongoing road projects in the LGAs were initiated under former Governor Jonah Jang but abandoned.
“We believe governance is a continuum. We are not awarding new contracts just to take credit—we are completing well-conceived legacy projects for the benefit of our people.”
He assured that by early next year, the state would witness a substantial improvement in road infrastructure, with some projects being executed under World Bank funding.
Agricultural Revolution Underway
The governor stressed that revamping the agricultural sector is central to Plateau’s economic future.
“Agriculture has been primitive and largely subsistence. We are changing that.”
To improve focus, his administration split the Ministry of Agriculture into two—handling crops and livestock separately. Special attention is being given to Irish potatoes, now branded as Plateau Potatoes.
“We want to dominate the potato value chain—from seedlings to harvest, storage, and export,” he said.
In collaboration with the African Development Bank, the state is reviving a tissue culture laboratory to produce high-yield seedlings. International firms, including Agrico of the Netherlands, are already in talks with the state for partnership.
To strengthen agro-marketing, the government recently launched the Plateau Commodities Marketing Company. Plans are also underway to establish aggregation centers in Shendam, Mangu, and Jingri under the World Bank RAAMP initiative, aimed at creating a daily international market hub.
“With these strategic moves, Plateau is on track to become an economic powerhouse,” Mutfwang concluded.
