The Plateau Vanguard for Democracy, PVD, has commended Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang on the occasion of his third anniversary in office, describing his administration as one that has shown courage, focus and capacity in steering Plateau State through difficult times.
In a statement issued through the office of its National Coordinator, Chris Ishaku, the group said Mutfwang’s third anniversary address reflected the confidence of a leader who understands the burden of his mandate and the expectations of the people.
PVD said the governor came into office at a time Plateau was facing insecurity, displacement, economic hardship, weakened institutions and declining public confidence, but noted that he had refused to use those challenges as excuses.
According to the group, Mutfwang has instead turned the challenges into a reason for bold action, particularly in the areas of security, civil service welfare, transport, education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, water, energy, tourism and urban renewal.
“From the tone and content of the governor’s address, one thing is clear: Mutfwang is on top of his game,” the group stated.
PVD said the governor’s repeated declaration that “Plateau is rising again” should not be dismissed as a slogan, but seen as the summary of a deliberate rebuilding project across critical sectors of the state.
The group particularly praised the administration’s approach to security, noting that the revitalisation of Operation Rainbow, recruitment and training of over 2,000 community volunteers, launch of an Emergency Communications Centre, and deployment of drones and CCTV technology showed a modern and practical response to insecurity.
It also commended the governor for speaking against attacks, reprisals, cattle rustling, livestock poisoning, crop destruction, night grazing and underage herding, saying such balanced messaging was necessary for justice, peace and coexistence.
On workers’ welfare, PVD said Mutfwang had restored morale in the civil service through the clearance of inherited salary arrears, regular payment of salaries, restoration of promotions, training of staff and reconnection of government offices to electricity.
The group also described the commitment of over ₦16 billion to pensions and gratuities, including arrears dating back several decades, as “a moral statement” that had brought dignity and relief to retired workers.
PVD further hailed the Tin City Metro Transport Service, saying the subsidised transport scheme had helped reduce the cost of movement for thousands of residents at a time of severe economic pressure.
The group said the agreement with ValueJet for daily Lagos–Jos flights and Abuja–Jos routes was also a major step towards reopening Plateau for business, tourism, conferences and investment.
In education, PVD praised the reduction of tuition fees by 50 per cent for Plateau indigenes in state-owned tertiary institutions, the 300 per cent increase in scholarship funding, construction and renovation of classrooms, and the Mutfwang Legacy Scholarship Scheme which has sent students abroad for further studies.
The group also commended the administration’s investment in healthcare, including the upgrade of the Plateau State Specialist Hospital, recruitment of consultants and physiotherapists, supply of ultrasound machines to general hospitals and expansion of health insurance coverage under PLASCHEMA.
On agriculture, PVD said the recovery of over 1,600 hectares of farmland abandoned due to insecurity, distribution of subsidised fertilisers, mechanisation drive, Special Agro-Processing Zone, Potato Tissue Culture Lab and modern abattoir showed that the governor was thinking beyond subsistence farming.
The group added that Mutfwang’s infrastructure record, including asphalted roads, ongoing road projects, water schemes, energy partnerships and distribution of 70 transformers, pointed to a government focused on connectivity and service delivery.
PVD also said the governor’s environmental reforms, revival of monthly sanitation, improved welfare for street sweepers and investment in tourism assets such as Jos Wildlife Park, Mado Tourist Village, Solomon Lar Amusement Park and Plateau hotels reflected attention to quality of life and the restoration of the state’s pride.
The group noted that Mutfwang’s movement from the PDP to the APC was a bold political decision which he framed in the interest of Plateau’s growth, stability and stronger federal collaboration.
After three years in office, PVD said Governor Mutfwang had shown seriousness in security, compassion in worker welfare, vision in education, ambition in infrastructure, innovation in transport, commitment in healthcare, focus in agriculture and boldness in political strategy.
“Plateau has suffered, but Plateau is not defeated. The state has been wounded, but it is healing. Governor Caleb Mutfwang is not merely surviving the demands of office; he is governing with confidence, focus and direction,” the group said.
