Attai Audu Jos
.The Plateau State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused those against Governor Simon Làlong’s rebuilding of burnt Jos Ultra modern Market through a facility from Jaiz Bank as Politically motivated.
Spokesman of All Progressive Congress in Plateau state Sylvamus Namang in a press statement issued on Saturday and made available to Oracle Reporters, described the opposition to the decision of Governor Simon Bako Lalong to rebuild the market as politically motivated.
Namang in his statement stressed that the move and propaganda of those opposed to the decision of the current administration to rebuild the market are loaded with lies.
According to him, the position held by opponents of Lalong’s Government, is the height of mischief to the state and its people.
“It is important to note that, a lot of politically motivated propaganda were offloaded and circulated against the efforts of the Governor, where it was alleged that billions were spent to demolish the structure. This is false and the height of mischief!
The spokesman of the Plateau ruling party explained that, “The push for the economic growth of the State deserves the support of all discerning minds, stressing that they cannot continue to promote and elevate hatred as an ideology or achievement as the renegade Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) politicians, keep on doing.Namang alleged.
According to him, the state needs the intervention of true Patriots, Statesmen and Religious Leaders across the divide; to bring all disparate and divergent groups together, “as our strength lies in our diversity.”
He accused the PDP and its past Administration in the state and Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos, Member representing Jos-South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State, of Double Standard, owing to their protest and present suit against the signing of the MoU for the reconstruction of the Market.
Namang alleged that the Jos Main Market remains a cherished Heritage of Plateau People, which no one can take away, saying the market ought to have been rebuilt before now, if not for the misplaced priority of the immediate past administration.
“From available facts, all the Satellite Markets built at Kabong, Farin Gada, New Market and Katako are less than 50% occupied as the traders there have moved to Terminus, Ahmadu Bello Way, Murtala Muhammed Way, and all adjoining streets to the burnt down Market, which has led to frequent traffic gridlocks and environmental hazards.
” Traders operate in locations where they are better patronized and cannot be moved by fiat.”
“These Serial Fault finders’ opposition to the JAIZ Bank Funding initiative and the State Government’s decision to rebuild the market is purely politically motivated. Religion is only being ostensibly brought in as a mere smokescreen!
“The same JAIZ Bank has executed similar projects in nearly 100 % Christian States of Enugu and Rivers State without its people being Islamised, contrary to what is being widely canvassed by these deceptive opposition politicians in a 21st Century Plateau State.”
According to him, facts made available to the APC, reveal that, contrary to the allegation in the opposition camp that, the State Government was in breach of its own laws on Public Procurement, the arrangement with Jaiz Bank Plc is not covered under the Public Procurement Law, since the funding for the redevelopment is not coming from the public purse, but is a finance of the project by a Third Party.
“The scope of application procurement law we learnt is limited to the utilization of public funds to acquire goods and services.
“Regrettably, the outcome of this engagement with Jaiz Bank has been twisted, politicized and reported under the caption “Governor Lalong cedes Jos Main Market to Islamic Bank”
According to him, “This has unnecessarily provoked passions and negative emotions in our citizens and conveying the false narrative that, the state was parting with its cherished heritage to an “Islamic Bank”.
He stressed that while the Government respects the rights of its citizens to raise questions on every decision and make their observations and displeasure known, the Rescue Administration has allayed the fears being raised as nothing in the deal will work against the state. Rather, it is an opportunity to raise a Sleeping Giant once again- the famous Jos Main Market. A Market that has not added any value to the Government and its people since it was burnt down 21 years ago.
“A Market like the Jos Main Market that will engender economic activities and commercial intercourse amongst diverse groups is probably the most unifying institution a polarized state such as Plateau can wish for.
“What the APC in the state finds worrisome and disappointing is that despite the clarity in the terms of the proposals, politics has surreptitiously crept into this purely economic engagement and otherwise laudable project.
“Dishonest politicians, from the opposition, have for their convenience, given an religious colouration to the issue. Everybody, ranging from the Government to the Investor, the prospective Shop Owners, the Clerics and Plateau Citizens, have unfortunately become victims of the antics of these opportunists.
“The Truth is that the deliberately simulated and orchestrated outrage and resistance to the rebuilding of the Market is all about politics, rather than religion-often said to be the Opium of the Masses. These dishonest politicians in the pursuit of narrow political ends, at the slightest opportunity, never hesitate to exploit the divisive and combustible issue of religion to fool the people that they are the worthy protectors of “Plateau Heritage.”Namang stressed.
Oracle Reporters 