The Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has issued a directive to all 20 commissioners in his cabinet to publicly present their performance reports, detailing their achievements since assuming office two years ago. This directive is part of an initiative to maintain transparency in governance and allow the people of Plateau State to assess the contributions of each ministry.
Speaking in Jos, the capital city, Commissioner for Youths Musa Ashoms confirmed the move. He noted that the governor’s instruction aims to encourage accountability and offer citizens a clearer picture of what each commissioner has achieved with the responsibility given to them.
“Yes, the governor gave the approval. It is part of the routine of governance. This is so that people (Commissioners) can give their scorecard on what they have been doing since the mandate was given. You can not just be given an opportunity to serve, and you are doing nothing. So, it is a season of saying what we have done so far, and we are going to improve on that going forward,” Ashoms said.
Commissioner for Information, Joyce Ramnap, explained that this exercise is meant to connect the government with the people by providing detailed information about ongoing and completed projects. She noted that such openness is rare and proves that the Mutfwang administration is serious about serving the public interest.
“There is no gainsaying that this activity bridges that gap between the government and the people. It serves in terms of providing access to information and promoting the culture of accountability in public service.
“Of course, when we bring together journalists and lay bare details of what the government is doing for the state and the resources being committed to its projects and programmes, we are merely saying you should hold us to account.
“I believe no government working at cross purposes with the people’s interest will be willing to provide such a platform for the scrutiny of its activities. But the Mutfwang-led government is not just any government; it is a government whose agenda is simply a synthesis of the legitimate aspirations of the people of Plateau State.
“Whether it is road construction or rehabilitation, re-engineering the transport sector, upgrading of health facilities, revamping agricultural practices or prioritising social welfare. The people have no doubt of being touched in many areas of need. All this has happened in spite of the mindless, unprovoked attacks in some of our communities,” he said.
The briefings kicked off with the Commissioner for Transport, Davou Jatau, who listed several achievements in the transportation sector. These include partnerships with ValueJet airline to boost air travel between Jos, Abuja, and Lagos, and collaborative efforts with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to restart rail services. He also noted new digital systems for tracking tricycles and efforts to create a compressed natural gas (CNG) station in Jos.
Jatau said, “The Ministry is developing a transport policy and master plan to enhance Plateau State’s position as a regional hub for mobility and economic growth.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Nyalum Salisu, shared his ministry’s progress. He stated that more than 1,000 cooperative societies were officially registered, while 150 individuals and groups were trained in entrepreneurial and business management. His ministry also took part in multiple trade expos to promote locally made products and worked to revive the Jos National Trade Fair.
Salisu added that the ministry had improved revenue collection through digital methods at the Kabong market and was planning to launch an online business registration system. Efforts to build industrial clusters and promote green industry practices are also underway, with new investors like Benny Byte Flour Mill setting up shop.
“The Ministry increased business premise registration by 25% and plans to introduce digital registration and an online trading platform,” he said.
