The Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Naanlong Gapyil Daniel, has distributed five trucks of fertilizer to farmers across Mikang Local Government Area, reaffirming his commitment to supporting agriculture while calling on residents to embrace unity as a catalyst for development.
The fertilizer distribution exercise, held on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, covered the four political districts of the local government, with the Speaker personally visiting Garkawa, Tunkus, Piapung and Lifidi alongside party leaders, community stakeholders and supporters to officially flag off the exercise.
Speaking during the exercise, Daniel described the intervention as part of his annual agricultural support programme aimed at improving food production and enhancing the livelihoods of farmers in the area.
He said the initiative aligns with the agricultural agenda of Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration, noting that improving access to farm inputs would help farmers achieve higher yields, strengthen food security and cushion the effects of the prevailing economic challenges.
The Speaker urged beneficiaries to ensure the fertilizer is used strictly for farming purposes and stressed that only genuine farmers should receive the intervention.
“This is not the first time we are doing this. Every year, I consider it my responsibility to provide fertilizer for my people because farming remains the backbone of our local economy. This is my own way of appreciating the confidence they have continued to repose in me,” he said.
Daniel explained that unlike previous years when beneficiaries converged at the council headquarters, this year’s distribution was decentralized to the district level to reduce transportation difficulties and make access easier for farmers.
He disclosed that five trucks of fertilizer were provided, with one truck allocated to each political district while the fifth truck was reserved for critical stakeholders. According to him, beneficiaries also include religious leaders, traditional rulers, security agencies, tribal associations, polling unit stakeholders and other community leaders without discrimination.
The Speaker also used the occasion to call for peace and unity among the people, especially in the aftermath of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections.
He noted that while elections naturally produce both winners and disappointed aspirants, political differences should not be allowed to hinder the development of the local government.
“Development can only thrive where there is peace and unity. Regardless of our political affiliations, we remain one people, and unity remains our greatest asset for progress,” he stated.
Daniel commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for maintaining a cordial working relationship with the State Assembly, saying the collaboration has attracted significant development projects to Mikang, including ongoing road construction linking Lifidi, Piapung, Baltep and Garkawa.
He expressed confidence that the projects would stimulate economic activities, improve social interaction and further unite communities within the local government.
Former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Moses Sule, described the fertilizer distribution as a commendable initiative and praised Daniel for personally supervising the exercise. He called on party members to put aside their differences following the APC primaries and unite behind the Speaker’s leadership.
The APC Women Leader in Mikang, Irene Piental, also appealed for fairness in the distribution process, particularly by ensuring adequate consideration for women farmers, while emphasizing that unity would foster greater progress in the area.
Representing the Executive Chairman of Mikang Local Government Area, Hon. Dr. Bernard Seopding Alkali, the Chief of Staff, Barr. Andrew Yilnan, lauded the intervention as timely, noting that the local government is predominantly agrarian. He encouraged beneficiaries to utilize the fertilizer responsibly to maximize agricultural productivity.
Similarly, APC Chairman in Mikang LGA, Peleng Caleb, said the distribution transcended party lines, stressing that the intervention was designed to benefit all farmers regardless of political affiliation.
Former member of the Plateau State House of Assembly and Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development, Hon. Dio Lamul, commended the Speaker’s grassroots-oriented leadership, saying Daniel had distinguished himself through consistent investments in agriculture, education, youth empowerment and other community development initiatives.
Lamul expressed confidence that the Speaker’s performance would translate into greater public support during future elections, attributing ongoing infrastructural development in the area to the synergy between the State Assembly and Governor Mutfwang’s administration.
Some beneficiaries, including Waigoe Abraham and Koplit Peace, expressed appreciation for the intervention, describing it as timely assistance that would help boost their farming activities and improve harvests. They also pledged their continued support for the Speaker’s leadership.
  
