Following the decision by the Plateau government to invest in the agricultural sector of the economy, a group, Plateau, Our Heritage, POH, has lauded the government policy.

The group stressed that since Plateau State was an agrarian State there was need for more investment in the sector urging further for priority attention to be given to the education sector to turn the fortunes of the State through reducing the level of illiteracy in the state.

The Plateau Our Heritage said it was delighted with the news of the completion of the Potato Tissue Culture Laboratory situated in Mangu LGA.

It said it was a timely project aimed at achieving the diversification of the economy making agriculture the main stay and reducing overdependence on oil.

The adaptability test carried out in 8 Local Government Areas that were hitherto considered not suitable for potato production is also an added advantage to the State as production will increase significantly since all the 17 LGAs can now produce the product which is consumed locally and nationally.

As a group, we call on the Government of Plateau State to invest considerably well in the agricultural and education sector as they have the propensity of not only stimulating but growing and transforming the economy of the State.

On the other hand, while we laud the decision of government to build a Teaching Hospital for the State only university PLASU, we received with mixed feelings the location in Shendam LGA.

Though government is at will on where to site projects and Institutions where it deemed fit, the decision of the University Teaching Hospital has generated controversy considering the distance from the State University.

We call on the listening government to reconsider such decision as both Bokkos & Barkin Ladi Hospitals are centrally located and can be upgraded to accommodate the Plateau State University Hospital.

The collective interest of the people and proximity to the University should be considered in the decision of where to locate the proposed Teaching Hospital to benefit majority of the people.

The distance between Plateau State University (PLASU) Bokkos to the proposed Teaching Hospital in Shendam LGA may not enable it achieve its objective.

It will be a welcomed idea if government establishes a second State University of Science and Technology or Education in Shendam LGA. Plateau State is endowed with great science and technological potentials, harnessing same will do the State good.

We want to admonish government to invest considerably well in education and give greater attention to existing institutions in the State in terms of infrastructural development, manpower and qualitative education.

As a group, we assure the government of our continued support and goodwill and  will continue to contribute our quota to the unity, peace, prosperity, growth and development of the State.

Hon. Alex Yola Kwapnoe
Chairman,  POH

Hon. Ayuba Pam Dangwong
Convener, POH