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Audu Ogwunenwa Jos.
Towards responding to crime and insecurity in Plateau State, the State Executive Council has approved the procurement of 50 patrol pickup vans and 200 security motorcycles for distribution to security agencies in the state.
Briefing newsmen after the weekly State Executive Council Meeting held at the New Government House, Little Rayfield Jos, 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 proactively tackling kidnapping, banditry and other crimes. He said there will be increased intelligence gathering particularly in the rural areas.
Manjang also disclosed that the state executive Council approved the scrapping of Plateau Agric Mechanization and Supply Company because it doesn’t have a law establishing it as its functions have been subsumed under the ASTC.
The staffs, according to him will be redeployed to relevant MDAs and their parent ministries.
The Council also approved the report of the economic and financial sub-councils as well directed for a draft white paper on the relationship between ministries and parastatal in the execution of their statutory functions.
Having an approval of 3 sub councils last week,
the Exco also approved the construction of some roads in the State which includes, 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 is the execution of constituency projects under the supervision of the Plateau State Road Maintenance Agency.
The projects are for Bokkos, Pengana, Pankshin North, Riyom, Langtang, Pankshin South, Mangu South, Kanke, Rukuba/Irigwe constituencies to the tune of 91million naira.
Some road projects were also terminated. They includes, 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.
Commissioner for health Dr. Nimkong Lar also gave an update of COVID-19 cases with 64,894 persons tested and confirmed cases standing at 9,052. Number of persons administered with the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine so far at 40, 625.
While the Commissioner for Finance Mrs. Regina Soemlat explained the funding for all the projects and procurement approved by the council.
Similarly, Housing Commissioner Barrister Zulfa Rimven gave an update on the hosting of the 9th Council for Lands and Housing currently taking place in Jos.
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