Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong  



on Saturday said his administration has continued with its determination to complete many inherited and abandoned projects as well as those initiated by this administration.


He further said "   So far his administration has intervened in 19 out of the 28 inherited road projects. We have also continued work on the 26 new roads awarded by our administration covering a distance of about 800 kilometres linking various towns and villages across the State


He made this known in a broadcast to citizens of the state in commemoration of Nigeria’s Democracy Day, June 12, 2021.


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Lalong further said " Some of the roads that have witnessed substantial work include the Mararaban Demshin– Shimankar Road and Demshin-Angwan Dadi–Kalong –Nyak, Angwan Rina–Shargang Road. Substantial portions of the first phase of the Longvel–Yelwa–Mato Junction–Taraba Border Road have been constructed while the Ajikamai road networks have been completed.

32.  Similarly, the construction of Dokan Tofa-Dokan Kasuwa-Ba’ap-Kurgwi with a spur to Bwall and Dokan Kasuwa–Lardang–Kwa Road is ongoing. A substantial portion of the road from Kwalla to Kurgwi has been done. 

The Rehabilitation of the Langtang–Garkawa– Yelwa Shendam–Longvel Road Project with a spur to Laling has also gone far. 


He added that " Other road projects were captured in the “Operation Zero Potholes” initiative where over 20 internal roads within the Jos-Bukuru Metropolis were reconstructed or rehabilitated covering over 40 kilometres. The roads which were completed on schedule have been in use.  Some of them were commissioned in the last two days."


Lalong also said that  The street lighting project tagged “Operation Light up Plateau” has also been ongoing. So far, we have covered a distance of 80 kilometres across the Jos-Bukuru Metropolis with integrated solar-powered street lights that have illuminated the city. We intend to continue with other areas once we get more resources."


" In terms of water provision, we have intensified efforts to ensure that we give our people access to potable water. "


Apart from signing into law the Plateau State Water Sector Bill which gave rise to four agencies for effective management, monitoring and utilization of the water sector, we have constructed and rehabilitated various water treatment facilities and also provided hundreds of hand pumps across the State. 


"These include the Yelwa Water Treatment Plant; the rehabilitation of Langtang North Water Treatment Plant which was hitherto grounded but now able to supply water to Langtang North; Pankshin Water Treatment Plant; and ongoing construction of a new Treatment Plant and Water Reticulation in Riyom among several others."


The Governor further added that To ensure that the Judiciary is comfortable to carry out its duties, the High Court Complex in Jos is about 80 per cent completed while the Secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists has also been reconstructed to give the media in Plateau State a befitting place to practice. "


On education  Lalong said  Within the last two years, his administration has established and constructed over 200 Primary and Junior Secondary Schools as well as rehabilitated many others. 


"We also procured and distributed over six thousand chairs, tables and other furniture to various schools. School enrollment in public schools has increased while we embarked on strong enforcement of substandard private schools among the over 1,300 operating in the State."


He added that " Work is ongoing on two new Technical Schools in Shendam (Southern Zone) and Pankshin (Central Zone) to further compliment the Technical School Bukuru in the Northern Zone all in a bid to boost our capacity for skill development and entrepreneurship in the State.

This quest for a paradigm shift to technical and vocational education is further boosted by Government’s investment at the Plateau State Polytechnic Barkin Ladi.


"The Government has paid greater attention to the development of other tertiary institutions in the State. For instance, many projects have been executed at the Plateau State University Bokkos by the State Government while the TetFund has been gracious to approve some projects that are either ongoing or completed. In addition, we have established three new faculties of Law, Environmental and Health Sciences which will soon take off." 


He further added the  College of Education Gindiri is also receiving significant attention with the repositioning of the institution to effectively carry out its mandate as a hub for training teachers in the State. Accreditation of most courses was achieved while a Combined Convocation for six sets spanning over 15 years was held.


Lalong called on the people of the state to support his administration at all times.