The Plateau State Government has officially assumed control of the Gyarta Gyere Stone Crushing Company site in Jos, citing overriding public interest and as part of the Greater Jos Urban Master Plan aimed at promoting an organized, sustainable and secure urban environment.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang announced the takeover during an on-the-spot visit along Bukuru Express Way, following security reports on criminal and illegal land-grabbing activities that raised serious concerns.
“When this quarry was established, it was located on the outskirts of the city. Today, it lies at the heart of Jos. Development has caught up with it, and in line with modern urban practices, such activity is no longer suitable here due to its environmental impact on the city,” the governor explained.
Governor Mutfwang further announced that the Plateau State Government now had full ownership and control of the land, warning that any unauthorised activity would attract arrest and prosecution.
“From this day forward, anyone found carrying out any activity on this land without government authorization will be arrested. The land now belongs to government, and any action taken here henceforth is entirely at one’s own risk.”
He sympathized with individuals who may have been misled into purchasing parcels of land within the disputed area, assuring that genuine interests would be protected: “We are setting up a desk at the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Town Planning immediately. Anyone who genuinely purchased land here should present their documents so that their interest can be verified and duly considered when the government decides the future use of this land.”
Governor Mutfwang directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute any land agents or speculators selling or advertising land within the acquired area, urging public cooperation: “Please, let us comply with this directive. The government’s intention is not to victimize anyone but to ensure that things are done in an orderly and lawful manner.”
Providing background, the CEO of Gyarta Gyere Stone Crushing Company, Evangelist Musah Paul-Gindiri, lamented increasing land encroachment and breaches of security and affirmed that the family of the late Evangelist Paul-Gindiri would cooperate fully with the government.
Commissioners for lands and survey and information and communication, Barrister Peter Nyam Gai and Joyce Ramnap respectively, pledged full and immediate implementation of the governor’s directive and appealed to citizens to adhere strictly to the new order.