by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Ministry of Lands, Surveys and Town Planning, Plateau State, says under the present administration it has issued an impressive number of 1,450 Certificates Of Occupancies – surpassing figures from the previous administration.
While speaking during the second phase of Plateau State Ministerial briefing in Jos recently, the ministry’s commissioner, Peter Gai, assured that, the expedited processing of Right of Occupancy and Certificate of Occupancy, which previously took several years, can now be completed within two-to-three months.
He noted that, an impressive 95 percent of revenue leakages within the Ministry have been effectively blocked, thanks to innovative strategies recently implemented.
While attributing the success to a series of transformative measures undertaken by the Ministry, Peter Gai noted that: “These measures include the digitalization of operations, which has streamlined processes for obtaining land titles and paying ground rents, instilling confidence among citizens.”
According to him, on assuming office, he cited a lack of essential tools, operational vehicles, and low morale among staff. “However, through concerted efforts, the Ministry has not only addressed these challenges but also achieved remarkable results in reducing processing times for land titles.”
He emphasized on the Ministry’s collaborative efforts with the State Revenue Service to harness revenue streams effectively, adding that, this partnership has led to a surge in revenue generation, primarily driven by increased confidence among citizens in the revamped system.
“This move,” he said, “is aimed at facilitating land title acquisition. Governor Caleb Mutfwang has granted a 50% reduction in processing fees, further easing the burden on citizens.”
In a similar development, the Commissioner Ministry of Transport, Hon. Davou Jatau Gyang, said “Democracy, they say, ‘is a government of the people, for the people, and by the people.’ ”
“A government whereby the people choose, who to rule them, guide their affairs and provide them with dividends of democracy, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang did not hesitate in providing the needed dividends he promised the people of Plateau State during his campaign.
“He immediately swung into action by undertaking the following projects through the Ministry of Transport by upgrading of Heipang Airport, the upgrading of the Yakubu Gowon Airport Heipang from Grade 5 to Grade 6 and, eventually, to Cargo Airport to Passenger/Cargo International Airport was one of the first project the Governor embarked on.
“Although, the project is on-going, captain of the Time Is Now administration has put all necessary environments that are required for upgrading of an airport to international standards.
“For instance, the acquisition of the fire fighting vehicle, the acquisition of ambulance and the financing of the repair of the damaged runway are all State intervention towards the upgrading of the Airport.
“If the upgrading of the Heipang Airport to International Airport is achieved, it will avail the Plateau people and other neighboring states the opportunity to travel anywhere within the country and beyond through the airport. Jos-Eastern part of Nigeria Flight: There had never been a flight from Jos to the Eastern part of Nigeria at the Yakubu Gowon Airport Heipang.
“The governor had to sponsor six persons of the Ministry of Transport, the Commissioner, Permanent Secretary and four Technical Directors to Abuja to meet with the Management of Rano Airlines to boost the flight operation in the state as well as to provide direct flight for passengers, from Jos to the Eastern part of the country.
“All negotiations are in advanced stage with an MOU to be effected. Access Solution: The governor, Barr Caleb Mutfwang, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2023 with a Services Provider’s Company, ACCESS SOLUTION, to monitor and control the traffic situation within the Jos Metropolis by obtaining the real traffic data (RTD) from Mounted Cameras at strategic locations such as Hill Station, Plateau State Hospital Junction and many other Junctions in the state.
“Apart from obtaining the RTD, the Access Solution will also be used in tracking vehicles whose particulars have expired. This project has already been completed and awaiting commission by the governor. Also, Mass Transit Train Services: Mass Train Transit Project is another Capital Intensive Project embarked upon by this present Government,” Hon. Davou Gyang stated.
He said, “Also Barr. Caleb Mutfwang through the Ministry of Transport signed an MOU with the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) to revitalize the abundant railway transport in Plateau State. This project is geared towards providing Mass Train Services to the people within the metropolis, from Jos-Bukuru-Vom. The MOU is targeted at alleviating the sufferings of people of Plateau as a result of fuel subsidy removal policy of the Federal Government.
“The terms of agreement in MOU, between the State Government and NRC, allows Plateau Government to use the NRC facilities such as rail track, locomotive, coaches and other facilities at the expense of the State resources.
“Although, the main objective is not about profit making but the income that will be realized from the ticketing will be directed into the Government Treasury. Another advantage the project will give rise to employment rate of the State,” he added.
According to him, the project has reached advanced stage, and will soon be ready for commissioning. On ‘Automation of Data and Mapping of Tricycle,’ he decried that, “The level of insecurity and criminal activities associated with the operation of tricycle in the metropolis has gradually become more worrisome to the citizens of Plateau.
“The present government, through the Ministry of Transport engaged the service of a Private Service Provider’s Company, GIOPAT DC Ltd, for Automation and Mapping of all tricycles operating within Jos Metropolis.”
He explained that, “This Company was mandated by the government to collect data on tricycles: the Operators, the Operator’s Guarantor Information and Tricycle Owner Information.
“This data collected will help to regulate the activities of the operators’, security wise, as well as use in Economic Planning such as Budgeting; although, the project is ongoing and has reached an advance stage of completion.
Metropolitan Bus Service:
Hon. Davou Gyang stressed that, “With the economy biting hard on citizens of the county as a result of the fuel deregulation policy of the Federal Government, Plateau State through the initiative of Barr. Caleb Mutfwang has purchased 15 Gas-driven Luxurious Buses, a programme of Palliative Intervention Policies through the Secretary to the Government of the State (SGS) Office.”
The Commissioner further explained that, the main objective of these metro-buses is to compliment the Rail Mass Transit Services, to cushion the impact of the fuel subsidy removal policy, and not a profit making venture either, but notwithstanding a level of revenue will be generated as a running cost into the State Government’s Account.
He stated that, “The governor took a drastic step to improve the operation of the Plateau Express Services Ltd – an agency of the Ministry – by purchasing 20 Sienna Buses that will be conveying passengers to-and-fro Jos to Abuja.
Gazetting and Upgrading of (VIO) Staff:
“As a way of improving the Civil Services, particularly Ministry of Transport, five staffs of VIO department were nominated for training to be gazette, while 25 others were upgraded and commissioned.
“Also, we witnessed the decoration of the first female Director Vehicle Inspection Officer (DVIO) in Nigeria and West Africa. Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITI) Zaria Auto-gas Conversion Centre: During the period under review, the ministry received a mail from (NITI) Zaria.”
According to him, they received a request from the governor for five hectares (110 plots) of land within the State Capital for an Auto-gas Conversion Center. On receiving the letter, the governor immediately directed the ministry to quickly carry out a reconnaissance survey for a suitable site for the project.