By PETER TITLE
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, on Thursday marked Nigeria’s 27th year of uninterrupted democratic governance with a town hall meeting in Jos, where he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, transparency and active citizen participation.
The town hall meeting, held at the Crispan Hotel and Event Centre, Jos, was organised by the Office of the Governor in collaboration with the Plateau State Ministry of Information and Communication.
The event was themed, ‘Plateau State Beyond Elections’, and attracted dignitaries from government, civil society organisations, the media and other stakeholders.
In his keynote address, Governor Mutfwang congratulated President Tinubu, state governors, members of the National Assembly and Nigerians on the occasion of Democracy Day, describing the 27-year democratic journey as a significant milestone in the nation’s history.
He urged both leaders and citizens not to lose faith in the democratic process despite the numerous challenges the country had faced over the years.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Strengthening Democracy Through Inclusive Governance and Citizens Participation’, the governor said democracy remained the most reliable system for guaranteeing freedom, accountability and the protection of citizens’ rights.
He stressed that democracy should never be taken for granted.
“Democracy gives everyone the right to express their views without intimidation and to demand accountability from their leaders. It must be sustained at all cost,” Mutfwang said.
The governor noted that when his administration assumed office in 2023, it inherited enormous challenges, including widespread insecurity as well as outstanding salary arrears, pensions and gratuities owed to workers and retirees.
According to him, his government confronted the challenges head-on and had continued to implement measures aimed at restoring public confidence and improving the welfare of citizens.
Mutfwang disclosed that the state government recruited and trained more than 2,000 youths to complement existing security personnel operating across the state.
He said the administration also established police mobile barracks in strategic locations to strengthen the state’s security architecture and improve response to security threats.
The governor further revealed that the Federal Government had approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to help tackle insecurity and protect vulnerable communities from attacks.
On developments in the health sector, Mutfwang said he inherited healthcare facilities that were largely non-functional and in a state of neglect.
He disclosed that his administration had invested more than ₦2 billion in the revitalisation of health institutions across the state.
He highlighted improvements at the Plateau Specialist Hospital, which he said now boasted the best laboratory facility in the state.
In the education sector, the governor said significant investments had been made in tertiary institutions, including Plateau State University, the Plateau State Polytechnic, the College of Education, Gindiri and other higher institutions across the state.
He noted that the interventions were aimed at improving learning conditions, enhancing infrastructure and repositioning the institutions for greater academic excellence.
Mutfwang also outlined efforts by his administration to revive the tourism sector, which had historically been one of Plateau State’s major economic strengths.
According to him, the government was refurbishing the Hill Station Hotel and Plateau Hotel as part of efforts to restore the state’s status as a leading tourism destination.
He added that the long-abandoned Jos Wildlife Park, which had become a haven for criminal activities, had been secured through perimeter fencing and restocked with animals to make it attractive once again for leisure and tourism activities.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, congratulated Nigerians on the celebration of Democracy Day and commended citizens for their resilience in the face of prevailing national challenges.
She recalled that a similar town hall meeting held last year culminated in a statewide tour of government projects and programmes.
Ramnap also commended members of the media for their continued support and partnership with the government in promoting public awareness and accountability.
She described Governor Mutfwang’s decision to personally participate in the town hall meeting as a demonstration of openness, accessibility and transparency in governance.
Convener of the Town Hall Meeting, Mr Samson Omale, explained that the initiative was designed to provide a platform for citizens to engage directly with government officials, seek clarification on public policies and hold leaders accountable.
The town hall meeting featured an interactive session during which members of the audience raised questions on governance and development issues, with Governor Mutfwang providing direct responses to the concerns raised.