Plateau state Governor Simon Lalong on Monday received the Technical
Report of the Committee on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
Speaking at the occasion in Jos Lalong said “Today marks another
historic occasion in the life of this Rescue Administration aswe receive
the Technical Report of the Committee on Internally Displaced Persons
(IDPs). It is also worthy of note as we strive to fulfil promises made
to address the challenges that confronted us as a people. Thus, the
scenario in the State was that of despondency, despair and discomfort.
Also, arising from waves of attacks on some communities in Riyom,
BarkinLadi, Bassa, Bokkos, Mangu, Jos South and Jos North Local
Government Areas of the Stateare loss of lives, properties and land
grabbing.
Our sympathy still goes to the families of the affected victims and may
those who lost their lives continue to rest in peace with the Lord,
Amen. Certainly, the deaths and loss of properties of all victims cannot
go in vain, as it is also the responsibility of government to exhibit
duty of care towards them and all Citizens. It was in this spirit that
on assumption of duty in May 2015, we made it a priority that Security,
Peace and Good Governance must take the centre stage for any meaningful
and sustainable development. This led to the establishment of the Peace
and Reconciliation Committee that met and made far reaching
recommendations for government to implement. Amongst these
recommendations are what we have today as the Plateau Peace Building
Agency, the first of its kind in the country and doing a good job of
advocacy, pro-activeness in conflict management, etc. Another
far-reaching recommendation which government embraced was tackling the
issue of IDPs.
You will recall that when President Muhammadu Buhari came to Plateau
State on a 2-day working visit on 8th March 2018, I lend my voice to the
national concerns about the spate of structured and premeditated
violence through Farmer-Herder clashes in some parts of the country,
including Plateau State. I also gave assurance that there will be no
land grabbing and that all displaced persons will be resettled and
rehabilitated in their original places of abode.
Things might be slow in policy implementation, but in the spirit of
“slowly, but surely”, as well as patience, we have been able to make
some phenomenal achievements in ensuring that peace returns and is
sustained. This we have achieved during our three years of uninterrupted
peace.Furthermore, as some of our strategic initiatives in engendering
peace and security in the State, this administration attracted the
establishment of the 205 Combat and Rescue Units in Kerang and Mobile
Police Squadron in Shendam as well as the recent approval to establish
Mobile Police Barracks in Gashish District of BarkinLadi. As a
demonstration of support towards government’s efforts, the Community
through the Nigeria Electricity Supply Company (NESCO) has given a
temporary site for Mobile Police Barrack, pending development of its
permanent site. On behalf of the good people of Plateau State and the
Federal Government, I appreciate this patriotic gesture, which will
indeed fast-track the resettlement of the IDPs.
All these are in addition to procurement and distribution of security
vehicles, equipped with modern communication gadgets. Recently too, I
approved the recruitment and training of neighbourhood personnel
attached to Operation Rainbow for Community Policing and intelligence
gathering.
In furtherance of our desire to consolidate on our gains, Ihave also
approved the hosting of a two-day Interactive Meeting with National
Economic Council (NEC) Technical Committee On National Livestock
Development Plan and Associated Activities tomorrow, Tuesday
13thNovember 2018. The essence istoconsolidate the opinions of the
people,particularly in affected flashpoint Communities and Spill-over
segments in the Stateon Local Level Security and Conflict Prevention
Mechanisms, Law and Order as well as Information, Education and
Strategic Communication, etc. at onset of harvest, preparatory to
programme implementation.
In the light of all efforts made by government, I urge all citizens to
avoid unnecessary incitement and spreading of false information that
further give wrong impression as if nothing is being done to address the
plight of the victims and the Citizens in general.
On behalf of the good people and government of Plateau State, I
sincerely commend the efforts of the IDP Resettlement Committee. The
patriotic zeal you exhibited in the course of carrying out this
assignment can be seen from the pains taken to take stock of lives and
properties affected, recommendations made on what to be done and
strategies for implementation towards lasting solution to the
unfortunate incidences. I assure you of government’s resolve to study
the report and release the white paper for immediate implementation in
the spirit of integrity, accountability and transparency in leadership.
In conclusion, I wish to thank all spirited individuals and
organizations for the support given to the IDPs and to let all the IDPs
know that as a government, we truly share in the burden of their
challenges. We are not relenting on our efforts and God willing; it will
be a thing of the past.
