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Plateau State’s Farming Communities Receive Boost with New Access Roads from PL-CARES Program
Farming communities in Plateau State are experiencing a resurgence of hope and support as the Farmer Cares Program, under the Plateau COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (PL-CARES), has initiated the construction of access roads in rural areas across the state’s 17 local government areas.
On Friday, June 14th, the monitoring team from the State Cares Coordinating Unit of the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Program visited several project sites in the Northern Zone of Plateau State. The team inspected the progress of access road construction in communities such as Farin Number-Gurum Road in Bassa LGA, Kudedu Road in Jos East LGA, and Nding Sesut in Barkin Ladi LGA. Expressing satisfaction with the work done so far, the team emphasized the project’s importance in revitalizing the local economy.
Dr. Haggai Gutap, Technical Head of NG-CARES in Plateau State
Leading the monitoring team, Dr. Haggai Gutap, Technical Head of NG-CARES in Plateau State, highlighted that the project covers 35 roads across the state’s 17 local government areas. “This initiative responds to the economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We aim to mitigate the lingering effects by creating employment, improving access roads to farmlands, and enabling farmers to expand their production beyond subsistence levels,” said Dr. Gutap.
He commended the government’s proactive approach and noted the state’s significant progress under Governor Caleb Mutfwang. “Our goal is to transform Plateau into a leading state in agricultural production. The World Bank’s support through a $750 million fund for all states, including the FCT, has enabled us to pursue these ambitious projects,” Dr. Gutap added.
The project engineer, Engr. Easter Agoh, explained that the initiative focuses on creating simple, durable laterite roads to ensure farmers can transport their produce efficiently. “We are rehabilitating over 30 roads across the state, ensuring that every community benefits from improved access to markets and farms,” said Engr. Agoh.
Gideon Damdam, the state overseer of the Farmer Cares Program, noted the importance of these interventions. “Fadama Cares has the privilege of supporting farmers in several areas. We identify intervention areas from the communities and aim to relieve them from the difficulties posed by bad roads. Our goal is to help farmers transport their produce efficiently,” Dandam said. He added that Fadama has a longstanding commitment to improving farmers’ lives through crop production, livestock processing, and asset acquisition.
Community leaders and residents have expressed their gratitude for the initiative. HRH Ogomo Aima Gurum, Mr. Danladi Akinga Kasuwa, welcomed the monitoring team at the Farin Number-Gurum Road project site, praising the government’s efforts. “Since the colonial era, nothing substantial has been done for this community until now. Governor Mutfwang’s administration has brought us new hope,” he said.
Abel Pam Cholom, a resident of Nding Sesut in Barkin Ladi LGA, echoed this sentiment. “Access to roads transforms communities, making them safer and more connected. We are grateful for this intervention and hope for continued government support in the future,” Cholom said.
The PL-CARES program’s focus on rural infrastructure aims to reduce unemployment, enhance food security, and improve the overall quality of life for Plateau State’s farming communities. With ongoing projects and future interventions, the state is poised for significant economic growth and development.
The federal government has recruited no fewer than 37,000 health workers across its health institutions since 2023, a statement from the health ministry has said.
The statement signed by the Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako, said that the recruitment, alongside the training of 70,000 frontline workers, was aimed at improving service delivery.
It said that the government had also approved Nigeria’s National Policy on Health Workforce Migration to address the growing challenge of skilled health professionals leaving the country.
According to Mr Bako, the policy is designed to improve workforce planning, strengthen retention and promote ethical recruitment.
“These actions are supported by the National Health Workforce Registry and continued investments in specialist training and workforce development,” he added.
He also highlighted progress under the revised Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF 2.0), describing it as a key driver of improved primary healthcare delivery.
He said the federal government had approved N32.9 billion under the revised framework to support no fewer than 8,300 Primary Health Centres, with expansion ongoing to have 13,000 facilities nationwide.
According to him, the government’s health reforms have contributed to 80 million patient visits, while over 21 million vulnerable Nigerians have accessed healthcare through the Vulnerable Groups Health Insurance Fund.
He added that disease surveillance and outbreak preparedness were also being strengthened through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention gateway under the BHCPF.
On access to medicines, the ministry said the government was expanding local pharmaceutical manufacturing through the Presidential Initiative to Unlock the Healthcare Value Chain.
“The objective is simple: strengthen local production, improve medicine security and make essential medicines more available and affordable for Nigerians,” he said.
Mr Bako said the reforms also covered investments in health infrastructure, maternal and newborn health, emergency preparedness, digital health systems and accountability.
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He said that as of the 2025 Joint Annual Review, 84 per cent of the key performance indicators under the Presidential Health Sector Renewal Compact had been achieved.
According to him, while significant challenges remain, the government has continued to pursue sustained reforms rather than deny existing gaps.
“Nigeria’s health sector still faces significant challenges, and government has never suggested otherwise.
“Lasting reforms, however, are measured not by rhetoric, but by sustained action, transparent implementation and measurable results,” he said.
The statement reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with healthcare professionals, civil society, development partners, the private sector and everyone to build a stronger and more resilient health system.
“Our mandate remains clear: save lives, reduce both physical and financial pain, and improve the health and well-being of all Nigerians,” the statement said.
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