by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has embarked on an on-the-spot assessment of some critical government facilities in the state with a view to revitalizing them for efficient service delivery to the people.
The governor’s first port of call was the Agricultural Services and Training Centre (ASTC) Vom, where he was led around the company by the Managing Director, Suzan Bentu, when the governor said he is “determined to revive the Centre and make it more efficient, for the benefits of the people.”
But, the governor expressed dismay with what he saw, noting that, “The ASTC has, over the years, been grossly underutilized,” and assured of his administration’s readiness to inject more life into the company to enable it deliver the required agricultural services and training to the people, in order to maximize the huge potentials of the state in the sector.
According to him, he wondered why an investment of this magnitude will be allowed to operate below capacity, adding, “This is grossly below expectation, and ASTC will not die; we will turn around the company to serve the purpose for which it was established.”
Also, the Managing Director of the Centre, Suzan Bentu, told the governor that the Company has 300 tractors cutting across all the centres in the three Senatorial Districts of the State, most of which are in bad shape.
She noted that the company is capable of initiating credible ideas that would better serve the people and generate revenue for running of daily activities of government.
The governor was also at the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos, where he was taken round the newly constructed Laboratory and Radiological Diagnosis Centre, by the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Philemon Golwa.
Governor Mutfwang pledged to turn around the face of the hospital with modern facilities and equipment so as to make the state a “preferred destination” for medical tourism.
He said the hospital would be reorganized to provide efficient medical services that meet the yearnings and aspirations of the citizens.
According to him, frantic efforts are being made to address the immediate needs of the hospital to save lives, while other critical issues would be attended to subsequently, to reposition the health institution to reflect its status as a Specialist Hospital.
He said “Government is making efforts to deal with the immediate needs. There is need for us to have a holistic idea of where the hospital is coming from, where we are and where we intend to be in the future. Our desire is to make Plateau a medical hub in the country.”
The governor appreciated the staff of the hospital for their diligent services, and assured them that the days of hope and help from above have come.
At the Plateau State High Court Jos, the governor inspected the ongoing construction of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) offices, the newly completed court complex and the Multi-Door Court House, and said provision of a conducive working environment is key to effective justice delivery.
Barr. Mutfwang, who was led round by the Chief Judge of Plateau State, Hon. Justice David Mann, said, “The Judiciary is a key institution for the progress and development of any society. With an effective and functional judiciary in place, there will be tranquility in the land, while issues relating to development will be addressed on time.
“One of the key aspects of the efficiency of the judiciary is the infrastructure on ground. The welfare and well-being of our judges are important. We want to appreciate all the efforts that went into putting up the structures.
“As you know, government is continuity; it was started by another administration, completed by another administration, but there are a few Ts to cross. We will work and collaborate with the Judiciary to ensure that the Judiciary maintains its advantage as one of the best in the country.”
He encouraged citizens to refrain from self-help in settling disputes and take advantage of the Multi-Door Court House to ventilate their grievances with a view to settling them amicably.
The governor was accompanied by the Secretary to the Government of the State, Arc. Samuel N. Jatau, Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Barr. Philemon Daffi, among several others. He then prayed for a newly born baby at the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos.
