•As construction work will soon resume on Lalong Legacy Projects located across the 17 LGA's

By Golok Nanmwa, Jos
Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong said his administration is set to commission some projects he completed in the State.

Governor Lalong who spoke shortly after reviewing the independence parade held at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium Jos said "in the coming months, we shall be commissioning some of the completed projects and others soon to be completed.

Some of them include the New High Court Headquarters Complex, General Hospital Mabudi, General Hospital Kanke, Kalong-Angwan Dadi Bridge (the longest bridge in Plateau State), the Shendam Internal Road Networks, and the Potato Value Chain Processing Centres in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Mangu.

He also added that "Work will soon resume on the Legacy Projects located across the 17 Local Government Areas of the State. Our commitment is to ensure that we complete ongoing projects before the end of this administration."

The Lalong Legacy project comprising Hospitals and Model Secondary Schools across the 17 local government areas was conceptualized to improve the standard of living of Plateau people from the rural communities by the Simon Lalong-led administration.

The Governor said that "However, I am happy to say that despite the many setbacks we were confronted with such as a global crash in oil prices, criminal attacks, Covid-19 among others, we have been largely successful in restoring Plateau State to its status as the Home of Peace and Tourism."

He said his Rescue Administration can proudly boast of being one of the few across the country to vigorously pursue the completion of abandoned and inherited projects started by previous administrations including Government of a different political party.

Rather than allow the common patrimony of the Plateau people to rot away under the guise of political ego, he vowed to complete many of the abandoned projects inherited for the benefit of the people.

"While handling the inherited and abandoned projects, we also initiated many new projects with most of them completed, commissioned and put into use while others are on the verge of completion."

The Governor further added that his administration believes that this approach is the best way to sustain development and defend the Plateau Heritage.

On security, the Governor appreciated all citizens for their support and collaboration towards the restoration of peace and security in Plateau State over the years saying. However, total success in eliminating criminal attacks has not been achieved, the State has substantially overcome the wanton destruction of lives and properties through ethno-religious crises and other senseless attacks on the people.

On the forthcoming general elections, he said "Let me, therefore, use this opportunity to call on all politicians to put the general interest above their personal or party interests before, during and after the elections."

"We should never do anything that will jeopardise, the peace, security and unity of Plateau State and Nigeria just to win elections. Without peace and stability, there will be neither democracy nor room for any politician to canvass for votes or aspire to lead."

We must act with utmost responsibility and caution because, despite political differences, we are all Plateau citizens and shall continue to remain brothers and sisters. Similarly, I urge the youths to shun all forms of actions that are inimical to the conduct of peaceful elections such as thuggery and violence.

Nobody should deceive you into believing that you are relevant or you can be made rich through violence.

"Think about your future and reject those who hide their children but recruit the children of others to carry out political violence on their behalf. Our administration has demonstrated that it is committed to providing youth opportunities through empowerment and job creation. That is why I challenge you to take advantage of empowerment programmes rather than participating in political violence".

He reassured all stakeholders that the Government under his watch will ensure that the rights of citizens and political parties and their candidates to freely sell their manifestos and canvass for votes as enshrined in the law are protected.

However, he warned that those who want to use politics to cause chaos and disharmony will be confronted by the security agencies that are empowered to maintain law and order. Similarly, those who also want to cause trouble through fake news, hate speech, and incitement should be ready to face the law.