Lalong flags off Special Public works programme for rural areas in Plateau

Plateau state Governor Simon Lalong on Friday flagged off the Special Public Works Programme in the rural areas of the state .

Speaking at the occasion which took place at the township primary school in Jos , Lalong said It is a great delight for me to address this unique occasion which is the official flag-off of the Special Public Works Programme in the Rural Areas here in Plateau State which was conceived by the Federal Government.

In his words ” Without doubt, this is a great initiative that further demonstrates the determination of the APC-led Federal Government as well as the APC controlled States to tackle headlong the challenge of unemployment in the country.”
“That is why the President approved that the initiative be carried out as a way of creating massive jobs at the lowest tier of the economy by maintaining critical public and social infrastructure at the rural base of the economy.”

He said ” I have been made to understand that the programme is designed to mitigate lack of job opportunities in the rural areas through a short-term engagement of One thousand unemployed persons per Local Government Area for a period of three months.” This laudable programme is also designed for the rehabilitation and maintenance of public and social infrastructure. The participants who are to be paid a monthly allowance have been recruited largely from the pool of skilled and unskilled persons resident in the rural areas of all the local governments.”
I am also aware that the selection of participants for this programme followed a broad-based engagement of various stakeholders cutting across government, civil society, religious and community representatives who ensured inclusivity, fairness and equity..

Lalong also congratulated them for being selected among the one thousand participants from Plateau State to take part in this scheme which does not only avail them an opportunity to be engaged, but also offer service to your communities and the State as a whole.

“By the concept of the programme, you will be engaged in public works such as drainage digging and clearance, irrigation, canal clearance, rural feeder road maintenance, traffic control, street cleaning, cleaning of public infrastructure like health centres, schools and the likes.”

” I charge you to put in your best in this assignment and ensure that you work with dedication, diligence and honesty. This is a call to national service and an opportunity for you to put your skills and talents to work.”

He said “As a government, we have remained committed to creating job opportunities for our youths through training in various skills by the Plateau Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (PLASMIDA) which has equipped thousands with various skills.”
“Apart from this, we have also ensured that those who are trained also receive starter packs to start businesses. Many have made us proud by establishing ventures that are thriving as they not only have jobs, but are employing others. “
” That is why I have consistently advised our youths to focus on acquiring skills and knowledge to create opportunities for themselves rather than look up to Government for white collar jobs which are not available. We shall continue to support and empower anyone who shows interest in any of such programmes.”

He said For the participants of this programme, I am confident that you shall not put us to shame because citizens of Plateau State are known for hardwork and excellence. We have demonstrated severally especially through the National MSME Competition that we have brains, discipline and character to beat others around the country.”

” Please do not let us down as your performance will further give room for others to benefit from this and other schemes of the Federal Government. Put at the back of your mind that your performance will be closely monitored by the managers of the programme. “

“Let me use this opportunity to once again speak on the protests by Local Government employees who for over a month have disrupted public peace and led shutting down the State Secretariat over the implementation of the 30 thousand naira minimum wage.”

“They have not only disregarded efforts to negotiate with Local Government Councils who are their employers, but have gone ahead to wage a campaign of calumny and blackmail against the State Government. They have also gone ahead to defy a subsisting court order restraining them from carrying out their action. “

“For the avoidance of doubt, Local Governments in Plateau State enjoy autonomy and control their resources. The State Government has no hand in it. Whatever amount within the law that is negotiated and agreed to by both parties is final and not subject to any approval by me.”
” Despite my efforts to ensure industrial harmony and improve the lives of civil servants in the State, the Local Government employees appear determined to mislead and misdirect their anger towards the State Government with a view to rubbishing our good work. This is sad and unacceptable.”
“Plateau State belongs to all of us and we should not try to destroy it on the altar of politics and parochialism. My advice is for the aggrieved workers to take their anger to their employers for negotiation. We are facing difficult times because of COVID-19 which has affected the economy and other aspects of our lives. This is not the time to play games and further put the fragile economy of the State in jeopardy. Let us apply wisdom and allow good reason to prevail.”

“We should rather channel our energies towards generating revenue internally both at the State and Local Governments so that we can not only be able to pay salaries as and when due, but also carry execute projects that will make the lives of the people better.”

Lalong also appealed to all citizens to strictly observe the protocols for preventing COVID-19 as the state is recording more cases and casualties in the second wave. ” Let us work to protect our lives and the lives of others by doing the right things such as wearing the face mask, washing our hands with soap and water, observing social distancing among others.”
“I have directed the commencement of a vigorous community engagement and public enlightenment as well as enforcement across the entire State to ensure that we mitigate the risks of infection and deaths.”

By Golok Nanmwa ,Jos