MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION, PLATEAU STATE,highlights of activities so far undertaken in pursuit of the Rescue Agenda

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

A VISION FOR CHANGE

Being highlights of activities so far undertaken in pursuit of the Rescue Agenda. Excerpted from the monthly press briefing of the Plateau State Ministry of Information and Communication, they signpost the development efforts of the APC-led administration in the state. Especially, they hint at the states enormous potential which is being realized through the instrumentality of the Five-Pillar Policy Thrust.  

OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF SERVICE

In line with its mandate, the Office of the Head of Civil Service (OHCS) ensures effective and efficient implementation of government policies and programmes. At the inception of the APC-led administration in the state, a number of ministries were restructured to help actualize the vision which finds expression in the Five-Pillar Policy Thrust. The Ministry of Science and Technology was merged with the Ministry of Education (Higher Education) to become Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology; Ministry of Mineral Development, merged with Ministry of Environment to become Ministry of Environment and Mineral Development; Ministry of Transport, merged with Ministry of Works to become Ministry of Works and Transport; and Ministry of Sports Development, merged with Ministry of Youth to become Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.  

In conjunction with the Civil Service Commission and the Teachers Service Commission, OHCS facilitated the promotion of over 7000 senior staff who had been stagnated for years due to the embargo placed by the last administration. Furthermore, 66 civil servants sat for the civil service examination to qualify them for promotion, while in-service training/study leave was granted to 157 officers for the 2015/2016 academic year. In the same vein, 63 civil servants have registered for the Professional Officers Induction Course. It is pertinent to note that the number declined due to the last administrations embargo on employment.
In line with governments desire to enroll civil servants for the defined Contributory Pension Scheme, collection and collation of relevant data for the process to has commenced. As it is, 50 MDAs have submitted their data which have been sent to the consultant, Rimafin Consult for actuarial valuation.
The atmosphere for industrial peace has also been created by the administration by its worker-friendly disposition. It would be recalled that the administration inherited a disenchanted work force owing to non-payment of salaries for upwards of eight months. As it stands, salary and pension arrears have been cleared while 515 new pensioners who have been without pension for years have been added to the pension list.
Worthy of note also is that the 35th edition of the Federation of the Public Service Games was hosted by Plateau State from November 23rd to December 3rd, 2016. This, no doubt, is attributable to the general atmosphere of peace, harmony and tranquility created by the leader of the rescue team, Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong.
FINANCE
One of the highpoints of the administration’s efforts to turn around the fortunes of the state were the measures taken to improve revenue generation and block leakages in financial operations. In this light, the administration ensured the full implementation of the International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS); the governor has consequently approved the production of IPSAS Cash Basis Accounting User Manual Volume I & II.
Also undertaken at the inception of the administration was the verification, valuation and documentation of fixed and moveable assets of ministries and agencies in the state. This project is necessary for the migration from cash basis to Accrual Basis of IPSAS. 

A process for the recovery of unapplied interest and excess charges on current accounts maintained by Plateau State Government banks is on. Consequently, demand notice has been served on the affected commercial banks and motion filed in court towards the recovery. 

An accounting firm has been engaged for a forensic audit and reconciliation of all Plateau State Government investments in equities in the capital market.

A BVN matching service for state employees and pensioners was carried out. At the end of the exercise, 579 persons were taken off the salary payroll for various reasons, saving N68,554,694.27 monthly for the state. Additionally, 101 persons out of this number are to make a combined refund of N76,763,551.15 for staying in service beyond their terminal dates.

Efforts are being made towards full reconciliation of all debts of the state. This has led to the restructuring of previous administrations debt at a lower interest rate. As at September 2016, the total debt portfolio was N110,812,789,286.79 out of which N16,561,983,097.20 has been paid.

A total of N14.16 billion was approved as budget facility for the state. The state started drawing the facility from June 2016. The total collection to date is N7.47 billion with an outstanding of N6.69 billion to be accessed.
Government has kept faith with payment of salaries to civil servants and pensioners, and has also paid arrears of promotion, annual increments, etc.  

JUSTICE
The ministry received 82 criminal cases from different justice sectors of which legal advice has been proffered. In addition, 75 criminal cases were filed within the period.

Furthermore, 150 cases have been disposed of and 40 convictions obtained.

In the area of civil litigation, 38 cases have been disposed of and 778 are pending in various courts.
Under Legal Drafting, 6 Executive bills were drafted and 4 of these bills have been passed into law; two (2) of the bills are still pending before the Plateau State House of Assembly. So also, 20 contracts have been drafted while 25 MoUs have been vetted.

Meanwhile, under Citizens Right and Law Reform, 70 complaints and petitions were received; 53 of them are pending and being handled. Furthermore, the ministry has embarked on the revision of 15 laws of various MDAs both at the State and Local Government levels. Some of these are before the State Executive Council while others are receiving legislative attention in the House of Assembly.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND CHIEFTAINCY AFFAIRS

This ministry continues to keep tabs on the affairs of the local governments in a manner that ensures effective administration of the councils.

Under this dispensation, a number of measures have been taken, leading to increased revenue generation. Some of these measures are: diversification of the local government revenue base, introduction of customized revenue receipts, review of rates, among others. 

Agricultural activities in the Local Government Areas are also being encouraged and supported by the present administration. For instance, counterpart funds have been paid to Fadama III in respect of LGAs which have competitive advantage in Irish potato farming. This is expected to boost the production of this crop in the state. 
The administration also sees the traditional institution as a key part of the peace process in the state. It is for this, among other reasons that the APC-led government has ensured that vacant stools are filled while efforts are also being made to fill those still vacant. 

COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

The administration has since inception undertaken to resuscitate such ventures as the burnt Jos Main Market, the Jos International Breweries (JIB) Plc, the Kabong Market, Highland Bottling Company and the Inland Container Depot. Accordingly, partnerships/agreements have been entered into with various firms to achieve this goal.

In the same vein, contractors have visited the Pioneer Milling Company at Zalaki to commence a plant audit of the facility. A project delivery team has been constituted for the monitoring and evaluation of the work being done.
Furthermore, Fertilizer Blending Plants at Bokkos and Foron are receiving governments attention.  Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have now been signed with two different companies for the revamping of the plant at Bokkos and for the establishment of the one sited at Foron. 

AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Government procured and distributed 777 trucks (over 400,000 bags) of fertilizer to farmers at subsidized rate during the 2016 cropping season.

Government also purchased and distributed improved seedlings of tomatoes and Irish potatoes to farmers at subsidized rates.
So also, the state government signed an MoU with a company, Greenlands Integrated Agribusiness Limited for the setting-up of the following: storage facilities, fruits and vegetable storage, milk packaging plant and dairy/pig, swine genetic centre, poultry processing plant, and Integrated (wind and solar power) Generation Plant. 
Within this period too, government also signed an MoU with SOLBEC Ltd. for the resuscitation of the long abandoned Panyam Fish Farm.

WATER RESOURCES AND ENERGY

Water treatment plants have been resuscitated in Shendam, Pankshin and Bokkos even as several kilometers of old water pipelines are being replaced/repaired within the Jos/Bukuru metropolis.

340 boreholes are being drilled in Riyom and Shendam. This is being supported by the EU-UNICEF Project through the Plateau Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency.

Power supply restored to communities such as Miango, Datti-Zawan, Kung-Bwana, Du, Karon-Foron which have experienced power failure for several years.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with William Duncan Hydroelectric for 32 MW hydro power project in Kwall, Bassa LGA.

HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

One of the goals of this administration is to complete projects inherited from the last administration. Consequently, on assumption of office, the administration took over the remodeling of the Plateau State Governors Lodge at Asokoro, Abuja which has now been completed, furnished and occupied.
Furthermore, government has acquired five hectares of land at Lamingo for the new national housing project. Compensation has been paid and title issued to the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing preparatory to the commencement of the project.

22,500 housing units are to be constructed at nine sites under the Public Private Sector participation scheme. Developers have been approved for the purpose.

An MoU has also been signed for another housing programme in the state. Under this programme, 7500 housing units are to be built across the three senatorial zones with 4500 in the northern zone and 1500 each in the central and southern zones.

Several township roads within the capital city have been earmarked for rehabilitation and the process for the award of contract is already in progress.  

WOMEN AFFAIRS AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

The present administration is especially supportive of activities that, among others, promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

In this regard, it has supported the many efforts designed to protect the child, such as the formation of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on violence against children.

Furthermore, the ministry developed the State specific Priority Actions across sectors relevant to child protection, following which the final document was launched by the state governor in September 2016.
Training for MDAs, CSOs, CPN, FBOs and other stakeholders has also been undertaken in collaboration with UNICEF. This is aimed at equipping stakeholders with the skill to handle cases of violence against children in the state.

Under its skills development program, the ministry trained nineteen people in knitting, sewing, cosmetology, catering and bead making at the end of which they received some support for take-off. And, in collaboration with the Sir Ahmadu Bello Foundation, 100 women and youth also underwent training in catering, fabric, dyeing, poultry and cosmetics.

A partnership was also entered into with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to train 60 women/youths in garment making and catering.

The ministry, in collaboration with the Plateau Aids Control Agency, assisted by the World Bank enrolled 50 Persons Living With HIV/AIDS, orphans and vulnerable children and care-givers for training in the following as a form of empowerment: tailoring, knitting, shoe-making, catering, hair dressing and computer application. The beneficiaries were selected across the 17 local government areas.   

WORKS AND TRANSPORT

At inception, this administration deployed the lean finances at its disposal for the patching and rehabilitation of some major roads and streets in the Jos-Bukuru metropolis. This was undertaken by the Plateau State Roads Maintenance Agency in the total sum of N525,675,690.30. 

Since then, the following new road contracts have been awarded, all totaling N3,980,969,215.78 billion: Rantya road network; Wildlife Park-Rafiki Junction and rehabilitation of Miango junction; Kalong bridge and road approaches; Plateau State University, Bokkos; Dokan Tofa-Dokan Kasuwa; and Total bridge in Shendam.
Furthermore, contract for 16 more road projects have been advertised. They are: Maraban Demshin-Shimankar road with spur to Shargan-Angwan Rina-Angwan Dadi Kalong-Nyak road; Dokan Tofa-Baap Kurgwi road with spurs to Lardan, Bwal, Kwoor and Tim; Shinkwan-Tunkus (Shendam bye pass) road; Wase-Kadarko-Dadinkowa road; Dengi-Bashar-Gajin Bashar road; Dengi-Kwalmiya Dugub-Gagdi road; Dawaki-Gyangyang-Seri-Amper road; and Lankang-Dyis-Kagu-Sihin road.

Others are: Mangu Bye Pass; Kuba-Tenti-Maunga-Daffo road;Kpsho-Chakarum-Kogom-Vwang road with spur to Vom Vet; Bet-Dorowa-Mazat-Kuba road with spur to Nding; Fobur-Naton-FursaMaijuju-Zandi road; Tahoss-Ganawuri road with spur to Dahreng; Wase-Mavo-Gimbi road; and Lohmak-Gazum with spur to Kumkwam.
Payment of approved CVs to some contractors for continuation of work on some ongoing projects today stands at N5,346,233,052.69.

Payment of N2,448,544,578.90, out of the contract sum of N3,498,273,087.08 has also been made for three new road projects and three direct labor works.

LANDS, SURVEY AND TOWN PLANNING

Under this administration, the Plateau Geographic Information System (PLAGIS) project was completed and was launched on June 10th, 2016. By this, applicants are no longer denied land titles as was the case in the last administration.
The Governor, at a stakeholders meeting on Effective Land Administration in Plateau also approved the downward review of rates by 50% for land titles. This is to encourage applicants to register their land titles. 
In pursuance of governments industrialization goals, four proposed industrial sites have been identified as contained within the Greater Jos Master Plan. And in order to underscore its policy on peace and security, a piece of land has been identified for a proposed Unity Layout at Naraguta, along Bauchi Road.
Another major highlight of the ministrys activities is the issuance of Right of Occupancy to applicants. As it stands, a total of 485 of these have been issued.

On the whole, there is a remarkable increase in the tempo of activities in the ministry, with a resultant increase in the revenue generated.  

ENVIRONMENT AND MINERALS DEVELOPMENT

 This administrations desire to maximize the potential of the environment and nudge Plateau State onto the path of mineral development is not in doubt.

On assumption of office, a state of emergency was declared on the environment, whereupon a task force was instituted to clear the heaps of refuse within the Jos-Bukuru metropolis.     

Subsequently, the monthly environmental sanitation was re-introduced and has since been sustained.
In keeping faith with its plans for this sector, N30,000,000.00 being counterpart fund was released to enable Plateau State benefit from the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management (NEWMAP) project of the World Bank. On its part, the World Bank has released $2 million for the programme which will soon be launched by the Executive Governor.

The state is also expected to reap, in no distant future, the benefit of the North-Central Nigeria Business and Investment Forum which was held in Guanzhou, China earlier in the year. Already, different groups of Chinese investors have come into the state and are prospecting for minerals in various locations.
EDUCATION
Under this administration, there is steady improvement in the conditions necessary for the conduct of educational activities. Efforts in this sector began at the state-owned University at Bokkos where sanity was substantially restored to enable the state maximize the institutions huge potential.

Governments commitment to educational development is also noticeable in other institutions such as the College of Agriculture at Garkawa. The Governor recently gave approval for the release of one hundred and twenty-five million naira (N125,000,000.00) for the provision of critical facilities required for the accreditation of programmes in the College.

At the College of Nursing and Midwifery, Vom, Governor Lalong has given approval for the re-engagement of 21 academic staff to enhance staff strength and quality of training. Some physical structures and equipment have also been improved upon, thereby facilitating an interim accreditation of a number of courses. 
The College of Health Technology, Zawan also got over 17 million naira to equip and install an ultra-modern e-library, and is now in use having been commissioned by the Governor.

Under primary and secondary education, Governor Lalong has also approved the release of funds for effective running of this category of schools.

Accordingly, 55 million naira was provided to settle the backlog of school fees of Plateau State students studying at the National Mathematical Centre, Abuja. In the same vein, over 15 million was released to meet the needs of students on exchange programme.

Government has also granted approval for the promotion of over 2000 teaching and non-teaching staff, which is expected to motivate the staff for enhanced productivity. 

HEALTH
In its desire to promote public health, the administration has been forthcoming in its responsibilities to the health sector. On assumption of office, the governor gave approval for the release of takeoff grant for the Plateau State Primary Health Care Development Board.

Furthermore, five ambulances have been procured and distributed to General Hospitals in Barkin Ladi, Mangu, Pankshin, Langtang and Shendam.

So also, funds have been approved by the governor, and have been released to offset surgery expenses for ten children with heart defects who were operated upon.

One of the highpoints of activities in this sector during this period was the containment of the recent Lassa fever outbreak in which no casualty was recorded. The state, through the ministry, was awarded a prize among four states for best reporting during the outbreak in the country.

TOURISM, CULTURE AND HOSPITALITY

Governments interest in this sector is informed by the endless opportunities it offers for the development of our state. On the heels of recent advances, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has now been signed between the tourism ministry and a reputable Chinese company (One Belt One Road) for the development of some selected tourism sites in the state. These are: ROC International Hotel, Plateau Hotel, Jos Hotel, Jos Wild Life Park and the Solomon Lar Amusement Park.

Government recognizes the Jos Wild Life Park as one of the flagships of the tourism industry in the state. Hence, despite limited resources, efforts are continuously being made to keep its operations alive.
Sometime last year, a lion was killed after it escaped its area of confinement. However, there is now a replacement for it with the acquisition of another one. In addition, the Ministry has acquired a pair of camels (male and female), a pair of crocodile and a rock python to add to the variety of animals at the park. It also acquired a red fronted gazelle, a male equus caballus, caracal lynx, baboon, common jackal, patas monkeys, Grimms duiker, Frasier eagle owl. A breakthrough was also recorded in captive breeding at the park from which there is now Nile crocodile, derby eland, patas monkey and dwarf cattle.

YOUTH AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

This administration also recognizes youth and sports development as necessary for the growth of society and our state in particular. Consequently, it has not left out the sector in its development plans. The administration, for instance, has remained faithful to its obligations to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme with the release of funds for its operations and activities especially at the orientation camp.
And under sports, the state-owned elite club, Plateau United has done remarkably well in the current league season owing to governments favorable disposition to sports development. Because of its sterler performance, the Nigeria Football Federation has invited the club to play a friendly match with the national team, the Super Eagles at the end of the current league season.

In other sports, the story is not different; it has been a harvest of medals in athletics, badminton, cycling, golf, gymnastics, hockey, kickboxing, judo, powerlifting, polo, taekwondo, weightlifting, wrestling and para-soccer.