By Gyang Bere
It is obvious that Plateau people did not make a mistake voting Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, as the chosen Governor of Plateau State during the March 18, 2023 gubernatorial election.
Since he was sworn in on May 29, 2023, he has left no one in doubt as to his mission in the state. In fact, he has continued to confound those who did not believe in his abilities to take charge of his government.
Drawing from the promises he made during his campaigns, he has matched them with action, particularly when he repeatedly underscored that the payment of salary is never an achievement; but an obligation while re-echoing the Biblical injunction that “a labourer is worthy of his wages”. The civil servants have never had it so good since he came on board.
To get workers satisfied and productive, Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang is committed to cultivating a collaborative bond with all labour unions to fortify the civil service and ensure efficient service delivery to the people of Plateau.
At inauguration, Governor Mutfwang who met a demoralized civil service on strike with four months unpaid salaries amounting to over N11 billion, cleared it within his few months in office and has continued with payment of wages and gratuity of public servants.
Interestingly, Plateau is up-to-date in the payment of salaries and also has commenced payment of pension, gratuities and death benefits arrears from 1986 to date. He has ordered for upward review of monthly pension with effect from January, 2024.
During the campaigns for election he stood on the fact that he will not sack any worker who was duly employed in line with the civil service rule, rather he would create room for more employment, particularly of young persons.
Even for the fact that he was misconstrued for setting aside the employment made by the immediate past government, he stayed true to his words and went ahead to verify the process to ensure credibility and fairness. At the completion of the verification exercise, 3879 workers were found employable after strenuously going through the list.
Governor Mutfwang has shown human face and determined to empower Plateau youths irrespective of faith, ethnic and political affiliation. He has injected the new workers into the service for efficient service delivery to the development of Plateau.
These are interesting scenarios taken into account that government after another has come and gone without any of them taking the gauntlet to address the issue. Over the years, many pensioners have taken ill, while some have died as they waited for their pension and gratuities.
He has also implemented hazard allowances for medical doctors, nurses and health workers, coupled with his interventions for the accreditation of courses mainly in the state-owned tertiary institutions. No wonder, he has been adjudged by the Nigeria Labour Congress as civil servant friendly-Governor.
His harmonious working relationship with leaders of joint unions was cultivated in the interest of peace and development of Plateau. No wonder, he has taken time to meet with the unions’ leadership to explain position of government regarding these critical areas.
Governor Mutfwang in an effort to motivate the civil service, has continued with the implementation of N30,000 minimum wage and an approval of N12,000 to each civil servant as palliative for fuel subsidy removal within a period of time.
Knowing that the state is noted for agricultural production, he has prepared well for the farmers generally. He has secured over 200 truck of fertilizer and it is subsidized for farmers in the state.
He knows that many communities are being invaded by armed bandits, and it is difficult for farmers to access their farms, the governor has not lost sleep to ensure that security is available to protect and to enable them go to farm.
Apart from the distribution of grains and other household items for indigent citizens in the state, Governor Mutfwang has procured 15 luxurious buses designated for strategic routes within the state to ease cost of transportation for citizens. He has resuscitated the moribund rail transport system within Jos Bukuru Metropolis. All these was to boost the state’s economy and improve the standard of living of the people.
On improving infrastructure in the state, despite facing huge security challenges and legal disputes that initially hindered the smooth commencement of his administration, His Excellency Barr Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has remained steadfast in addressing the state’s challenges and delivering democratic dividends across all sectors of the economy.
Mutfwang, the workaholic governor has remained the people’s hero by setting up construction sites all over the state. Having met most roads in some parts of the metropolis in a total state of disrepair, he initiated action to take those roads head on by fixing them almost at the same time. By that singular action, his name would for long remain on the lips of the people of the state; who have always identified with the government that works for them.
Bere, is the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Executive Governor of Plateau State