Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state has sworen in 23
Commissioners, to contribute to the advancement of his policies and
programmes.
Among those sworn in were 36 year old Barrister Zulfa Bitrus Rimven, the commissioner for Housing ,
Hon. Victor Lapang – Youths and Sports
Hon. Mrs Elizabeth H. Wapmuk – Education (Secondary)
Hon. Yakubu Dati – Land & Survey
Hon. Tapgun Sylvanus Dankano – Local Government & Chieftancy Affairs
Hon. Barr. Chrysantus Ahmad – Attorney General & Justice
Hon. Ibrahim Saad Bello – Water Resources & Energy
Hon. Dr. Nimkong Lar Ndam – Health
Hon. Dayyabu Garga – Physical Planning & Urban Development
Hon. Dr. Hosea Istifanus Finangwai – Agriculture
Hon. MrsTamwakat Weli – Tourism & Culture
Hon. Mrs Regina Soemlat – Finance
Hon. Kak’mena Goteng Audu – Education (Higher)
Hon. Usman Yakubu Idi – Environment
Hon. Dakur Jude Eli – Mineral Development
Hon. Sylvester Wallangko – Budget & Planning
Hon. Dung Musa Gyang – Science & Technology
Hon. Pam Bot-Mang – Works
Hon. Muhammad Muhammad Abubakar – Transport
Hon. Mrs Sambo Rebecca Adar – Women
Hon. Dan Majang – Information
Hon. Jerry Werr – Special Duties, Intergovernmental & NGOs
In his remarks, Lalong said that the event was a demonstration of the
administrations resolute commitment to putting round pegs in round
holes.
“Today marks another very important day in the history of Plateau State
as the team of Commissioners that will assist in delivering on our
second term mandate is being inaugurated.”
“Now that
you have been sworn in and taken your oath of office as Commissioners,
you have been legally equipped to discharge your duties in your
respective Ministries. This mandate however goes with huge
responsibilities of service delivery to our people within the ambit of
the policy thrust of the second phase of the Rescue Mission.’
He further said “Shortly after securing victory for another second term,
I commissioned the famous Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to undertake
the task of developing a five-year Development Plan for Plateau State,
which will shape our final term in office. ”
“After months of engagements with Ministries, Departments, Agencies,
Local Government councils, the Economic Advisory Team and other
stakeholders, they have since submitted their report to me , this
document provides the roadmap for the implementation of our Next Level
Rescue Agenda in serving our people effectively. “All appointees are
expected to study the document, as directed to enable them hit the
ground running and stay on target in implementing our Party’s agenda and
campaign promises.”
Lalong charged the commissioners to ensure good synergy and working
cooperation with Permanent Secretaries, Directors and other support
Staff in the machinery of government towards successful implementation
of programmes and projects.
“I will therefore not hesitate to reprimand, chastise, query and where
necessary discipline by removal from office, any of you who goes
contrary to the agenda of our Rescue Government and indeed extant public
service rules.”
“To fulfil the challenges of leaving a lasting legacy, you need every
support from all and sundry. However, without prejudice to your
different affiliations and the right to demand for quality service and
good governance, let me specially plead that relations, friends and
party loyalists should not exert unnecessary pressures on your wards as
these could easily derail them and have negative effects on their
effective performances in service delivery.”
“As we consolidate on the peace we have restored to Plateau State, we
hope to generate more revenues to complete ongoing projects, continue
implementing our legacy projects as well as create more jobs for our
teeming youths and women.”
“This is why we have engaged a reputable Firm of Professionals to not
only advise us on how to increase our revenue base, but also work with
our Revenue Generating Agencies through the process. I urge all and
sundry to cooperate with these Agencies in accomplishing positive
results.”
The Governor further said “we shall soon hold an Economic and Investment
Summit, which will also assist us to change the trajectory of Plateau
to an investment destination of choice.”
“There
are many critical infrastructure and services that require urgent
attention that I expect the new Commissioners to immediately address.”
“Among them are health facilities such as the Trauma Hospital in Riyom,
which was abandoned, but our administration has virtually completed and
equipped it. I expect that hospital to be operational by next month,
while others in Kanke and Mabudi in Langtang South should be completed
and operational before April next year. ”
“While we work on completing ongoing road projects, I am directing the
Ministry of Works to immediately implement a zero tolerance to pot holes
in the State, particularly in our urban roads to prevent them from
further damage as well as enhance the convenience of motorists.”
“Waste management and refuse evacuation is also another area that
requires urgent attention. I am directing the ministry of environment to
immediately rid the Capital City of Jos and other urban areas of waste
dumps in the interim, and also set in motion a concrete and sustainable
waste disposal mechanisms that will involve all stakeholders and the
private sector.”
“In order
to ensure consistency and faithful implementation of projects and
programmes of government, the Project Monitoring and Result Delivery
Unit to be headed by the Chief of Staff has been created in line with
the recommendations of the State Strategic Development Plan. The unit is
to ensure that the state gets value for money and to track the
implementation of all Projects and Programmes.
As part of our efforts to deepen transparency and ensure the prudent
management of scarce resources, I have approved the setting up of a
Liquidity Management Committee. This will ensure that budgetary
provisions and approvals, efficient financial management and adequate
project financing are built into our governance system. This is
consistent with the best practices in line with our strategic plan.
“We must
live up to expectation and work together with the public to trace bad
influence amongst our youths for possible rehabilitation through the
different Ministries, Departments and Agencies “he further added
