By YUSUF IDEGU, Jos-
As part of its proactive measure to curb the prevailing insecurity in the country, The Plateau State Government has approved the procurement of 50 patrol vehicles and 200 security motorcycles to reinforce the state’s security system.
The vehicles and motorcycles would be distributed to security agencies across the state.
The approval for the procurement was secured on Wednesday during the State Executive Council meeting held in Government House, Jos, which was presided over by Governor Simon Lalong.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Dan Manjang, said the decision was taken to strengthen the capacity of the security agencies to respond to various challenges across the state.
He said, “the patrol vehicles and motorcycles will be deployed across the State and utilised for the purpose of pro-actively tackling kidnapping, banditry and other crimes. There will be increased intelligence gathering particularly in the rural areas as well”.
Mr. Manjang also said that Council approved the scrapping of Plateau Agric Mechanization and Supply Company because it does not have a law establishing it and its functions have been subsumed under the ASTC. The staff according to him would be redeployed to relevant MDAs and their parent ministries.
The Council, further, approved the report of the economic and financial sub-councils and also requested a draft on the relationship between ministries and parastatal in the execution of their statutory functions.
The Exco also approved the construction of some roads in the State. They include: Aliyu Makama – Muslim Pilgrims Board to Plateau Hospital Link Road; Joe Garba and Wamba Close roads to be executed through direct labour. It also approved the rehabilitation and construction of NDLEA – Zarazon-Fobur Road Phase One phase 1 road also through direct labour.
Also approved was the execution of constituency projects under the supervision of the Plateau State Road Maintenance Agency. The road projects which cost N91 million,were awarded for Bokkos, Pengana, Pankshin North, Riyom, Langtang, Pankshin South, Mangu South, Kanke, Rukuba/Irigwe constituencies.
Some road projects were also terminated. They include Mangu bye-pass road project of 13km that was first awarded to PW and re-awarded to Sky Technical and Construction Company. The 18.4km Mai Juju-Zandi road was also terminated and the contractor is to make a refund of N68, 870, 350.18 naira.
On his part, The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nimkong Lar, gave an update of COVID-19 cases with 64,894 persons tested and confirmed cases standing at 9,052. At about 40,625 persons have received the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines in the State.
While the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Regina Soemlat, explained the funding for all the projects and procurement approved by the council. While her housing counterpart, Barrister Zulfa Rimven gave an update on the hosting of the 9th Council for Lands, Housing in the State.
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