Plateau State Government has approved the purchase of 50 patrol vans and 200 motorcycles, as part of its efforts to strengthen security in the state.
The Commissioner of Information and Communication, Mr. Dan Manjang, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on Wednesday in Jos after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting. He said the move had become imperative due to the increase security challenges in the country.
Manjang noted that the gesture would go a long way to assist security agencies to effectively discharge their duties of protecting lives and properties.
Also, the commissioner revealed that the state government had revoked the contracts for some ongoing projects for non-compliance to approved standards.
“Council approved the termination of the Mangu bypass Road project which is 13 km. It was first awarded to PW, also re-awarded to Sky Technical and Construction Company limited. The bypass project would be re-awarded and reconstructed to be commissioned before the end of this administration.”
He said the 18.4 Km Mai-Juju/Zangi Road project awarded to a private construction company was also revoked, adding that the company had been directed to refund N68million to the state, adding that the decision was to ensure adherence to standard specifications for durable road construction.
“This is to ensure it lives up to the mandate that Plateau people gave it. Where things are not going according to specifications, government is going to address them.”
The commissioner also said Council approved the construction and rehabilitation of some roads including Aliyu Makama long drive Road and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) junction Road, through direct labour, adding that the sum of N91 million was approved for the execution of constituency projects by lawmakers.
The commissioner said SEC also approved the scrapping of Plateau Agricultural Mechanization Services Corporation (PAMSCO) for not having a legal backing.
He further explained that its function had been taken over by Agricultural Services and Training Centre and assured staff of PAMSCO, that they would be redeployed to their parent ministry.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Nimkong Lar, gave an update on COVID-19, saying that 40,625 people have so far been vaccinated with the Oxford/ AstraZeneca vaccine in the state.He said the number was not up to 50 per cent of the target population to receive the jab of the 105, 600 doses of the vaccine delivered to the state.
He urged Plateau residents who are 50 years and above, to go to Plateau Specialist Hospital and the Primary Health Care, Bukuru, to get vaccinated, while assuring them of the vaccine’s efficacy, saying “it is not fake vaccine.”
Meanwhile, Reports indicate that Governor Simon Lalong and some members of his cabinet also inspected the ongoing renovation work at Nigeria Union Of Journalist (NUJ) state secretariat, where he assured journalists of his commitment to complete the project.
