Pakistanis, Indians, Egyptians, are among the over 700 exhibitors in the on-going Plateau State Trade Fair.

To showcase that peace has returned to Plateau State, Nigeria, the All Progressive Congress APC administration, led by Governor Simon Lalong is hosting an on-going Trade Fair in the state.

According to the Governor in his speech during the opening ceremony is to “stand out as an open manifestation of the peace that has returned to Plateau and the existence of an environment that is fertile for business investments”.

To further showcase that peace has returned, the governor said on good authority, that Indians and Pakistanis are among the over 700 exhibitors who have graced the on-going state Trade Fair.

The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Prof. Sunni Tyoden, at the occasion said, the Theme for this year’s Fair in the state is: “Promoting Entrepreneurship through Medium and Small enterprises for Economic Development”

“Today marks yet another milestone in our Administration’s effort to boost commerce and stimulate industrial growth in our State. The successful hosting of this year’s Trade Fair, the first under this administration, stands out as an open manifestation of the peace that has returned to Plateau and the existence of an environment that is fertile for business investments.

“I have it on sound Authority that among the over 700 exhibitors we have in this year’s Trade Fair, there are  entrepreneurs and representatives of business conglomerates from Pakistan, India, Egypt and others within the West African sub-region.

“I am sure, having assessed our business environment; these exhibitors have found out that there is market for their products and that the security of their lives and property will sufficiently be guaranteed, hence their presence at the Trade Fair. I therefore salute the presence of all the exhibitors and I dare to say, your presence will open our business environment positively to the Global Business Community.

‘The Theme for this year’s Fair: “Promoting Entrepreneurship through Medium and Small enterprises for Economic Development” is apt and it succinctly captures Government’s Policy drive towards industrialization and entrepreneurship. We have repeatedly reiterated that our areas of comparative advantages as a State reside in Agriculture, Tourism and Solid Mineral Development. For this, we are opening up the economic space and exploring all avenues to ensure we stimulate Industrial revolution in these sectors. Industrialization as a change and transformation agent, presents us with the ample opportunity to address the yearning gap of unemployment, the endemic rate of poverty, increasing revenue generation and rural infrastructural development, and also meeting the growing challenge of rural – urban migration”.

Dayyabu Garga received award for Excellency

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Dayyabu Yusuf Garga was among the recipients of the Awards by Dignity of Lab our Foundation at the International Conference centre Abuja for his outstanding humanitarian service.

In his remarks after receiving the awards, the commissioner thanked the organizers for the recognition which according to him will spur him to render more service to humanity. The award for excellence was presented to him, alongside Nine (9) other recipients who include the Governor of Borno State Alhaji Kashim Shetima, Governor, Governor of Abia State, Hon. Okezie Ikpeazu, the Speaker, House of Reps. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Senator Grace Bent and the former Coach of the under 23 youth football team, Samson Siasia among others.

In his speech Governor Kashim Shetima, who was represented by the Borno State Head of Service Barr. Yakubu Bukars, lauded the organizers for the award presented to his Governor for prudent management of resources and prompt payment of workers’ salaries. Adding that, although the payment of salaries may not be an achievement, but as responsible Government the administration in Borno State views the rights of its workers as priority because, it is the right of workers to deserve their wages considering their role as engine room of government.

Also, in his keynote address at the occasion, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Mathew Hassan Kukah spoke emphatically on three key raging issues bothering on the state of the nation’s economy, security and the unity of it citizens. Represented by Rev. Fr. Patrick Alumu, Director of Social Communication of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, appealed to Nigerians to be prayerful and patient as things will soon take shape especially with the efforts being made by Government to achieve economy recovery.

Earlier in her address, the National Co-coordinator of the Foundation, Mrs. Henrietta Iwerunma said, the objective of the Labour award for Excellency to notable Nigerian is to promote the dignity of lab our for good leadership and development in different spheres of human endeavors.

HON. DAIYABU GARGA DEVELOPMENTAL STRIDE

Hon. Daiyabu Garga

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Daiyabu Garga, has reviewed and released the scorecard of his ministry in Governor Simon Bako Lalong's one year in office.

The Commissioner, who took a stock of the Ministry, scored it high and appealed to the Plateau people to understand the challenges facing the state as the current administration met virtually an empty treasury at its inception, but was able to still forge ahead to provide good governance for its citizens.

Rolling out the achievements, Garga said his ministry during the period under review embarked on the following projects in its efforts to implement the State Government's policy thrust:

Promotion of deserving officers of both junior and senior management was processed and released.

ü  Training workshops and seminars were organized for local government council chairmen and members to keep them abreast of management skills and government policies and programmes.

ü  The ministry undertook the renovation of its secretariat to create conducive working environment for the staff at a total cost of N7,945,000.

ü  Shendam Zonal Office was also renovated at the cost of N1,800,000.

ü  Procurement of office working materials was executed to facilitate and guide implementation of government policies and programmes in line with the change mantra.

ü  The routine inspection of local government council treasury books of accounts were promptly checked and inspected in line with government policy.

ü  In line with the present government's zero tolerance to mismanagement, the ministry keyed into the Single Treasury Account (TSA) policies of both the Federal and State governments respectively.

ü  During the period under review, the ministry processed and approved for the filling of the following  vacant stools.

1.      District Head of Kombon,

2.      District Head of Piapong

3.      District Head of Mafara

4.      District Head of Doemark

5.      District Head of Vwang,

6.      District Head of Somji

7.      District Head of Tariya,

8.      District Head of Hardon-Dinya

9.      District Head of Garkawa and

The following village Heads

1.      Village Head of Bashar

2.      Village Head of Gwande

3.      Village Head of Kwi and Village Head of Rim.

While efforts are being put in place to fill the vacant stools of the Long Goemai of Shendam and Ngolong Ngas of Pankshin/Kanke Joint Traditional Council as a result of the demise of the paramount rulers recently.

ü  The ministry in its efforts to increase the internally generated revenue base of the LGCS in the light of the dwindling fall in the subvention, has embarked on aggressive IGR through the provision of Customized Revenue Receipts and also reviewed the rates upward. This was done centrally to avert fraudsters and leakage, and diversion of revenue to the wrong hands.

ü  Furthermore, the Ministry also intensified inspection/scrutiny of Local Government Books of Account to ensure accountability and transparency in line with government's policies of zero tolerance to corruption.

ü  Monitoring and inspection of projects by the Local Government Councils to ensure strict compliance to laid down procedures and specifications.

ü  Training programme in conjunction with GIZ and Jos Business School was conducted for Revenue Officers/Treasurers to enhance their skill in revenue identification and collection procedures to boost internally generated revenue base of the councils.

ü  Massive public enlightenment and immunization were conducted and also the National Programme on Immunization was carried out.

ü  Drugs/immunization drugs were purchased and distributed to the Local Government Councils for onward distribution.

ü  Procurement and distribution of Life-Saving Drugs for the provision of post partum hemorrhage and umbilical sepsis.

ü  Trained 2,875 volunteers in the distribution of the drugs in the 17 Local Government Areas.

ü  Procured drugs centrally for Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week and distributed to the 17 Local Government Areas.

ü  The ministry carried out monitoring and supervision of immunization activities (SIA) and other campaign exercises in the Local Government Areas.

ü  The Department of Primary Health Care of the Ministry established a Laboratory Unit in her effort to provide essential PHC services as well as generate revenue for the ministry and by extension to the state at large.

ü  During the period under review, the ministry collated and compiled data on chieftaincy districts and village areas in the State with the view of placing them in the State website.

ü  The ministry conducted training workshops and seminars in collaboration with CBN and NBs Fiscal Surveys.

Commissioner Garga added that the progress and achievements were made possible through the Ministry's Action Plan for the year.  However, he added, there are teething problems that continue to constitute constraints in the course of action, among which are:

i.        Inadequate funds;

ii.      Inadequate staff and personnel;

iii.    Insufficient vehicles to facilitate prompt supervision and monitoring of local government activities; and

iv.    Inadequate funds as a result of fall in price of oil in the international market with attending fall in subvention.

The commissioner concluded by saying the period under review was eventful and that his ministry is doing all within its limited resources to ensure that the dividends of democracy are delivered to the people of Plateau State in line with the Change Mantra of the present administration.

Panshak, Jankanwa, Rev. Polycarp applauded the Senate for including Plateau State

Panshak Yohanna

The Management Committee Chairman of Kanke Local Government Council. Hon, Panshak Yohanna applauded the Senate for including Plateau state in the North East Development Commission Bill, he said, it will go a long way to rehabilitate the people who had be traumatized as a result of decade of incessant crisis.

Hon. Panshak equally thanks the APC led Government for the wonderful gesture.

In his own part Emmanuel Jankawa said, the inclusion of Plateau State in the North East Development Commission depicts the caring attitude of the APC government, adding that Plateau state has suffered a lot and it will help in the reconstruction of the state.

Also speaking is Rev. Polycarp Jurbe who said, it is a welcome development, that he believed it is done without any selfish interest because Plateau state has witnessed a lot of destruction of lives and properties. 

IN BRIEF

Senate Okays three per cent VAT for commission, as Lagos senators kick
The Senate yesterday passed for third reading a bill seeking to establish the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) to intervene in the reconstruction of the region devastated by the Boko Haram insurgency.

The bill included Kano and Plateau states to benefit from the commission’s funds, even though they are located in north-west and north-central geopolitical zones respectively.

The decision to include the two states in the rebuilding plan followed a motion by Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano Central) that they also witnessed terrorist attacks by the insurgents.

The Senate, in passing the bill, approved the allocation of three per cent of the country’s Value Added Tax (VAT) to the commission for a period of 10 years.

It also resolved the controversy surrounding the location of the headquarters of the commission, by approving that it should be in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.

However, the three senators representing Lagos State kicked against the three per cent VAT for the commission, saying that their earlier request for one per cent VAT for Lagos was rejected.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC, Lagos Central) had sponsored a bill titled: “A bill for an act to make provisions for Federal Grants to Lagos State in recognition of its strategic socio-economic significance and other connected purposes.”

After the approval for the north-east, the Lagos senators addressed the press. Senators Gbenga Ashafa (APC Lagos East) and Adeola Olamilekan (APC Lagos West) said it was wrong for the Senate to approve three per cent for the north east development commission without considering Lagos.

The lawmakers, who hinted that the bill would be reintroduced in the Senate, wondered why the Senate rejected the bill.Ashafa said: “Everyone knows that 68 per cent VAT nationwide comes from Lagos. Two weeks ago, a bill by Senator Oluremi Tinibu was presented, asking the Senate to approve one per cent for Lagos State as a former federal capital but the bill was not passed. We feel we should present our feelings to the press and Nigerians. We are appealing to Nigerians to assist us ensure that they give us a listening ear.

“We the contributor of 70 per cent of the vat income believe that one per cent is not too much. We are calling on the Senate to accommodate Lagos, one per cent vat bill. It has been agreed by our constituents to reintroduce the bill and we believe that our colleagues and all Nigerians will support us,” he stated.