Mr. Mark Dakup


By Daniel Dauda in Jos


In line with the Federal Government demands on diversification of the economy from oil to agriculture, Plateau youths under the aegis of Pan Youth Association have accused Governor Simon Lalong for masterminding the closure of Jep Jan integrated agro resources limited in Namu, Qua'anPan Local Government Area.

Jep Jan integrated agro resources limited is a daily business venture that registered with corporate affairs commission, CAC, before official take off recently. 

The shareholders and locals who are patronizing the market said they were worried over the continue harassment by the security personnel at the market for no reason.

Addressing Journalists shortly after a crucial meeting with the Police commissioner at Officers Mess Jos on Thursday, National President of Pan Youth Association, Comrade Yonmi Dama, said he is more than disappointed for what I saw there. "It is more of somebody acting script written by somebody somewhere.

"If you could vividly recall last time there was commissioning of Jep Jan integrated agro resources limited in Namu, where I was equally there and witnessed the commissioning and prayers for the opening of business activities.

"As you all know Namu is the heartbeat of Qua'anPan in terms of commercial activities and agricultural products. As we always said when we have the right to always encourage our youths to get involved into activities that are legal and beneficial to the community. 

"We cannot continue to wait for Government for white-collar job that is why we engage our youths in skills acquisition programmes, we encourage and engage them on agriculture and as such we are still encouraging them to act in that manner.

"What I saw today, at the Officers Mess, the Commissioner of police is acting the script that we don't know. I am very right to say as I listen to him very well and I quote,   he said that the Governor of Plateau state is actually very interested in shutting down the Jep Jan integrated agro resources limited market that was established in Namu, Qua'anPan Local Government Area,"  Dama voiced out.

He also revealed that Namu as a ward had 39,000 registered voters. "But today Namu cannot boost of a hospital by the Government have not put in place any infrastructure in this same place.

Now these are people that want to develop themselves. They want to be innovative and creative, and the same Government are trying to shutdown their market. I perceive that there is something somewhere going on that only the Governor of Plateau state Simon Lalong that have answer to this", he stated.

Mr. Mark Dakup, one of the shareholder in the business said most them involved in that business are graduate. Noting that he cannot see a reason why Government should be against a lawful venture  instead of them to be proud of the business.

 He acknowledged that they are venturing into farming in which president Mohammadu Buhari has encouraged for them to key into agriculture.

"And we have gone into it. We're both farming and selling our products and I don't know why the harassment every day. And they are telling us that the Governor have interest. Interest in what? Our own employment or what? 

Also speaking Mr. Godfirst Dama committee member of Jep Jan integrated agro resources limited confirm that since they have write to the Local Government to come and acquired all the necessary tax and levies in the market.