The 17 local government councils in Plateau State have executed various infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, healthcare facilities, markets and security infrastructure, as part of efforts to improve service delivery at the grassroots.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Chief Ephraim Usman Gar, disclosed this on Thursday in Jos while presenting a summary report of the ministry’s statewide project inspection tour across the 17 local government areas.
Gar said the projects were aimed at addressing the needs of communities and advancing the grassroots development agenda of Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration.
He said the inspection tour was conducted to assess completed and ongoing projects, ensure judicious utilisation of funds released to the councils and verify compliance with quality standards.
The commissioner said the projects inspected across the three senatorial zones covered critical sectors, including healthcare, education, transportation, electricity, commerce and security.
In the Southern Zone, he said the ministry inspected projects including the ongoing remodelling of youth centres, mini stadiums, computer-based test centres, legislative chambers, solar-powered streetlights, primary healthcare centres and motorised boreholes.
He also listed the Wase Rock Radio and Television Station and facilities at the temporary headquarters of the 175 Infantry Motorcycle Battalion of the Nigerian Army among the projects inspected.
Gar said the facilities provided for the military demonstrated the councils’ support for security and peace in the area.
In the Central Zone, the commissioner highlighted the 23-kilometre Gugur Road construction in Kanke, the remodelled Dengi Multipurpose Hall and the 1,500-capacity event hall in Mangu.
Other projects inspected included a 200-capacity anatomy laboratory at Plateau State University, Bokkos, funded by the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), as well as primary healthcare centres and rural electrification projects.
In the Northern Zone, Gar said the ministry inspected primary healthcare centres at Sabon Gari, Chinye-Miango, Garba Daho and Furaka, rural electrification projects in Miango, council secretariat complexes and ICT centres.
He also listed ultra-modern markets at Rishari-Rutara and Zarakon, bridges linking Farin Gada–Rusau and Vwang–Kogot, police station outposts and town halls in Kwang and Kuru.
According to him, the projects were designed to meet the needs of communities and bring governance closer to the people.
“Across all the 17 Local Government Areas visited, I am glad to report that projects executed are people-oriented and based on the actual needs of the communities,” he said.
The commissioner said the ministry would continue to monitor local government activities to ensure that projects aligned with the administration’s development priorities.
He commended Governor Mutfwang for providing an enabling environment for the ministry and council chairmen to operate, while appreciating traditional institutions, the media and civil society organisations for participating in the inspection exercise.
