HON. EPHRAIM USMAN HIGHLIGHTS DEVELOPMENTAL PROJECTS ACROSS PLATEAU’S 17 LGAs

The Plateau State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Chief Ephraim Usman Gar, has commended the 17 Local Government Council Chairmen for their performance, describing their achievements as a reflection of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang’s Time Is Now administration’s commitment to grassroots development.

Usman made the commendation on Thursday, November 5, 2026, during a press briefing in Jos, where he presented the summary report of the Ministry’s statewide project inspection tour across the 17 Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

He explained that the inspection was undertaken in line with the Ministry’s statutory mandate to assess completed and ongoing projects, ensure the judicious utilisation of public funds, verify compliance with quality standards, and strengthen collaboration between the state government, local government councils, and traditional institutions.

The tour, which covered the three senatorial zones, featured the inspection of several people-oriented projects, including roads, primary healthcare centres, legislative chambers, ICT centres, markets, bridges, rural electrification projects, motorised boreholes, event halls, and educational facilities.

Among the notable projects inspected were the 1,500-capacity event hall in Mangu, the 200-capacity anatomy laboratory at Plateau State University, Bokkos, and the 23-kilometre Gugur Road construction project in Kanke. The Ministry also inspected security-support facilities at the temporary headquarters of the 175 Infantry Motorcycle Battalion of the Nigerian Army, highlighting the councils’ contributions to security and peace in their respective areas.

According to the Commissioner, the projects inspected were largely people-oriented and based on the actual needs of the communities. He added that the local government chairmen had demonstrated commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy at the grassroots, thereby justifying the confidence reposed in them by the state government.

Furthermore, Usman appreciated Governor Mutfwang for providing an enabling environment for the councils to operate without interference. He also acknowledged the contributions of the local government chairmen, traditional institutions, media organisations, and civil society groups to the success of the inspection tour. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to effective supervision, monitoring, and technical assistance to ensure that local government administrations continue to deliver meaningful development to the people of Plateau State.

Responding to questions from journalists, Usman rated the collective performance of the 17 local government chairmen between 70 and 80 per cent. Although he acknowledged that their achievements differed, he maintained that they had performed excellently well in delivering projects and services to their communities.

On the issue of local government autonomy, the Commissioner reiterated that Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang had never interfered in the management or utilisation of local government resources. Rather, he stressed the need for improved financial allocations and greater efficiency to enable councils to execute more meaningful projects with direct impact on their communities. He also assured journalists of the Ministry’s support in facilitating independent visits to project sites for firsthand assessment of the councils’ achievements.

Meanwhile, addressing the issue of grassroots security, Usman disclosed that local government councils were strengthening community security through formally registered security outfits whose members had undergone three months of training by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). He explained that the initiative would enhance information sharing and collaboration with conventional security agencies in combating crime. However, regarding the tenure of local government chairmen, the Commissioner declined to comment, noting that the matter was already before the court and that it would be appropriate to await the court’s judgment.

In his closing remarks, Hon. Lapching Golime, representing the ALGON Chairman, commended Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang for providing the necessary resources and enabling environment for local government councils to deliver grassroots development. He equally appreciated the media for their commitment and partnership in bringing government activities closer to the people, while urging journalists to uphold accurate and objective reporting. He further encouraged them to communicate the realities of grassroots development to the public, emphasising that Plateau State was making progress through projects and services that directly benefit its citizens.