By ๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฏ๐๐๐๐๐๐
โ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐โ
Your Excellency sir,
The land is green but the people of Plateau State have not been able to grow the desired crops for our state and our markets. This situation seems almost unending.
In July 8th, 2021 when I came across a picture of a woman staring helplessly at her farmland that was ravaged by the โevil menโ that visit at nightโ sometimes morning and in the afternoon, I sat and thought;
โWhat should we tell our children when they ask us why we are sleeping hungry tonight?โ
Yes! What should we tell them?
You see this green Land; it is what most families depend on. We plant the food crops that we need for survival here and often, we do survive from them if the bad hospitals, bad roads, insecurity does not consume us all eventually.
I know people who have sacrificed a lot in the work for Peace in Plateau state. One day, I write about them and the the clog in the wheel of progress. God bless them.
I want to raise my child not to hate anyone or see anyone as an enemy, but how best can I explain to him why our villages keep getting attacked, or why those who attack us often go unharmed and without a trace. I am scared he will feel we are cowards when I cannot get a news item as a reference that clearly calls our attackers by their names.
Your Excellency sir, prior to the 2015 general election, I said I will write a letter to every elected Governor of Plateau State with the hope that they will get to read it, or some members of their cabinet will come across it and speak about some of the issues raised. While this dream sounds very over ambitious that me; some ordinary guy writing to powerful men, I find closure with these writings that I have spoken.
You do not know how I smiled your excellency when I just saw the letter I have written to the administration before yours. The internet is a very interesting space.
I remember pleading that the secretariat flyover should be completed. Well, does that mean that someone actually read my poorly written letter in 2015?
Well, that is not why I am writing this today. I am writing again because it is something I said I will always do.
In fact, a look at the last letter I have written says that the requests here will not be significantly different from the last one.
๐๐ผ๐ป๐ด๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐๐น๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐
Let me first of all congratulate you on your victory at the polls. The celebration in the streets with your announcement and what we saw today at your inauguration says that It is a victory for Plateau State. I pray God will see you through your administration.
Sir, I will be praying for you and speaking about your administration in the coming days. Holding leaders to account is a task we must all do.
๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐?
As a state, We are grateful that we are blessed with both natural and human resources. But resources alone do not make themselves useful. So, I write this piece to draw your attention to just a part of what we are blessed with, that of course, I know you are aware of.
๐๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ
Plateau State is rich in a variety of natural resources, including tin, tantalite, columbite, limestone, lead, zinc, and marble. These resources have the potential to generate revenue for the state and contribute to its economic development.
According to the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, Plateau State has an estimated 2.5 billion metric tonnes of tin ore reserves, which is the largest in Nigeria and the second-largest in the world.
The exploitation of these resources can contribute significantly to the stateโs economy and create employment opportunities for its citizens. For example, the mining of tin in Plateau State has created jobs for thousands of people, both directly and indirectly. The revenue generated from mining activities can also be used to fund infrastructure development, such as roads, hospitals, and schools.
๐ง๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐บ
Plateau State has significant tourism potential due to its natural scenery, cultural diversity, and historical sites. The state is known as the โHome of Peace and Tourismโ and attracts visitors from within Nigeria and around the world.
Some of the tourist attractions in Plateau State that havenโt gotten much attention include the Jos Wildlife Park, the Pandam Game Reserve, the Wase Rock, the Riyom Rock Formation, the Kurra Falls, and the Shere Hills. The state also has a rich cultural heritage and is home to several ethnic groups, each with its unique traditions, festivals, and cuisine.
According to a report by the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, tourism contributed 4.8% to Nigeriaโs GDP in 2018, and the sector has the potential to contribute up to 10% of GDP by 2028. If the tourism potential of Plateau State is fully developed, it has the potential to generate significant revenue for the state.
The tourism sector in Plateau State has not been fully developed, and there is a need for the government to invest in infrastructure, such as roads, hotels, and tourist attractions, to attract more visitors. The government can partner with private sector investors to develop the tourism industry. Before that, itโs important to set the ball rolling!
๐๐ ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐
Plateau State is one of the major agricultural producers in Nigeria, and the stateโs contribution to the countryโs agricultural output is significant. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Plateau State contributed about 3.8% to Nigeria’s agricultural output in 2020.
Plateau State has significant agricultural potential due to its fertile soil, favorable climate, and abundant water resources. The state is known for its production of a wide range of crops, including grains, vegetables, fruits, and livestock.
Some of the major crops that can be exported from Plateau State include potatoes, maize, sorghum, rice, yams, and tomatoes. The state is also known for its production of high-quality fruits such as strawberries, grapes, and apples.
If the agricultural potential of Plateau State is fully developed, it has the potential to generate significant revenue for the state. According to a report by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, the agricultural sector contributed 22.35% to Nigeriaโs GDP in 2019, and Plateau stateโs contributed about 4% of that. The sector has the potential to contribute even more if value-added processing and exportation of agricultural products are increased.
The government can invest in infrastructure such as irrigation systems, roads, and storage facilities to improve agricultural productivity and reduce post-harvest losses. The government can also partner with private sector investors to develop the agricultural industry through value-added processing and exportation of agricultural products.
ASTC is still calling, PADP is still calling. There is more to be done.
๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐
My previous letter was over ambitious as I even mentioned the need for us to have our Sheri Hills turned into something more beautiful than Obudu. I remember talking about the Zaria road stadium as well.
I remember seeing the Gombe international conference center and I thought about us having something bigger than that in Plateau state. Maybe the ruins of the Luka Bentu Indoor Theater will rise again.
Your welcome as Governor will be the challenge of getting appointees who wouldnโt say; โโฆ ๐ผ ๐ค๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ค๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ , ๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐ผ ๐ค๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐๐. ๐ด๐๐ ๐ผ’๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐ก๐ ๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐๐, โ๐๐๐ข โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ฆ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐ฆ๐๐๐๐ . ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ; ๐๐๐ก, ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฆ.โ
(๐ฟ๐ข๐๐ 12:18 & 19)
Then, you will see a city center that is very dirty and without proper sanitation and waste disposal system.
Another key thing that will welcome you is the absence of law enforcement, and selective behavior when it comes to law enforcement in our markets, streets. From how vehicles are parked to how wares are displayed in places they should not beโthe state seems like the wild where there is no leaders or laws.
๐โ๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ค๐๐๐:
- ๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ข๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ก๐๐๐ก๐๐๐!
- ๐ฝ๐๐ ๐ผ๐๐ก๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ต๐๐๐ค๐๐๐๐๐ , ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ต; ๐ด ๐ฃ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ก ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ก๐๐๐ก๐๐๐.
- ๐ต๐ด๐ ๐ถ ๐น๐๐๐๐ : ๐โ๐ ๐ก๐๐ข๐กโ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ !
- ๐โ๐ ๐ฝ๐๐ ๐๐โ ๐บ๐๐๐ค๐๐๐ ๐ป๐๐ข๐ ๐;
๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ฆ ๐ค๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ก. - ๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ก๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ค๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐ก ๐กโ๐๐ก ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ โ๐๐๐.
- ๐๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ ๐น๐๐ โ ๐น๐๐๐
- ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐: ๐โ๐ ๐ข๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ โ ๐กโ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐ก๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ก!โ
- ๐ป๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ป๐๐ก๐๐
- ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ข ๐ป๐๐ก๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐
- ๐โ๐ ๐ด๐๐ข๐๐-๐ฝ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐
- ๐ฝ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐- ๐พ๐๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐
- โ๐โ๐ ๐ฟ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฟ๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐กโ
- ๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ค๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ 17 ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ก โ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐, ๐ฆ๐๐ก ๐๐๐ก ๐๐ข๐โ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ก ๐กโ๐๐.
- ๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ก ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐!
While we are thinking about these thingsโฆ
Sir, an international conference centre if constructed, is an image projector we need as a one stop โshopโ for everyone doing business in the Middle Belt, North and beyond. In addition to this, we need a world class shopping mall in this state too to make this tourist haven complete. We couldnโt get back the Jos Terminus in its old location or a new one, and I feel reviving our markets will be a great one for this state moving forward.
Recall your excellency, The Jos Main Market was the Largest in West Africa and it was a major hub for commercial activities in the state and the surrounding regions. The market was known for its vibrant trading activities, with traders selling a wide range of products.
Before it was burnt down in 2002, the Jos Main Market was a significant contributor to the economy of Plateau State. It provided employment opportunities for thousands of people, ranging from traders and artisans to transporters and laborers. The market also generated significant revenue for the state government through taxes and levies. In addition, the market served as a major source of goods for consumers in Plateau State and neighboring regions, contributing to the growth of local businesses and the overall economy.
The destruction of the Jos Main Market in 2002 was a significant setback for the economy of Plateau State. It led to the loss of thousands of jobs and disrupted the flow of goods and services in the state.
As far back as 1989, that market was raking in an average of N18 million a month.
๐๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
On Education, our primary, secondary and state owned tertiary institutions should be made even better so as to develop the human capital base of the state.
In 2019 for example, statistics on the performance of students in the West African School Certificate Examination in the private schools compared to public schools shows that our public education needs attention because that is where the children of the less privileged are mostly found.
There was 55.44% pass rate in Private schools while the public schools had 45.05%. 2020 was 64.04% against 55.09%; 2021 84.32% against 79.54 with not very good performance in Maths and English in all cases.
๐๐๐ฒ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ
The payment of salaries and pension can contribute to the development of Plateau state in several ways:
- Boosting the local economy: When civil servants receive their salaries, they tend to spend the money on goods and services within the local economy. This spending helps to stimulate economic activity and create jobs, which can contribute to the development of the state.
- Encouraging investment: A stable and predictable salary payment system can encourage investment in the state. This is because investors are more likely to invest in a state where they know that the workforce is paid on time and are motivated to work.
- Improving standard of living: Regular payment of salaries can improve the standard of living of civil servants and their families. This can lead to better health outcomes, education, and overall quality of life.
- Promoting social stability: Payment of salaries can promote social stability by reducing the incidence of strikes and protests by civil servants who are owed salaries. This can help to create a peaceful environment for businesses to operate and for the state to develop.
๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐๐ข๐ง๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ
We have great entertainers here and those that left this state as ambassadors. I feel that the entertainment industry should be made to thrive. The talents we see are just enormous.
Entertainment can play a significant role in building the economy of Plateau State.
Here are a few ways:
- Job Creation: The entertainment industry has the potential to create a large number of jobs in various areas such as film and television production, music production, event management, and more. By promoting and supporting the entertainment industry, the state can create employment opportunities for its citizens, which can help to reduce unemployment rates and boost the local economy.
- Tourism: The entertainment industry can also attract tourists to the state, which can boost the local economy. By hosting events such as music festivals, film screenings, and art exhibitions, the state can attract visitors from other parts of the country and even from abroad. This can lead to increased spending on local businesses such as restaurants, hotels, and transportation services, which can have a positive impact on the local economy.
- Revenue Generation: The entertainment industry can also generate revenue for the state government through taxes and licensing fees. For example, the state can charge licensing fees for events and productions taking place within its borders, which can generate revenue for the state government. Additionally, the state can charge taxes on the income generated by individuals and businesses working in the entertainment industry, which can also boost the state’s revenue.
- Branding and Promotion: The entertainment industry can help to promote and brand the state. By showcasing the state’s unique cultural offerings, the entertainment industry can help to create a positive image of the state, which can attract investors, businesses, and tourists. This can also help to create a sense of pride among residents, which can lead to increased civic engagement and community development.
๐๐๐๐๐
The state needs to grow beyond depending on what we get from Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JED) in terms of electricity. We really should do something about NESCO which to me, is something we can fall back to. From there too, something good will happen to our internally generated revenue, as taxation is not the only way forward.
Stable electricity can have a significant impact on businesses in Plateau state, especially โ a support or alternative to what JED is offering can improve productivity, reduce costs, and increase competitiveness.
- Increased productivity: Stable electricity supply means that businesses can operate without interruptions and downtime, allowing them to increase their productivity.
- Reduced costs: Unstable electricity supply can lead to additional costs for businesses, such as the purchase and maintenance of generators and fuel. With stable power supply, businesses can save on these costs and invest more in their core operations.
- Increased competitiveness: Businesses in Plateau state that have access to stable electricity supply can be more competitive than those that do not. This is because they can produce goods and services at a lower cost, increase their output, and offer better quality products and services to their customers.
โฆPeople who want to invest in the state should be encouraged to do so and people with ideas should be given such opportunity to make their contributions.
Let the environment be very friendly for investors from within the country and beyond.
In Nigeria today, it is like everyone doing great had his/her footprints in Jos. So, we can explore more and make this state the entertainment capital of Nigeria, and a tourist destination for all. First, then lets rear and our image away from our past.
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐
Your connection with the people who have voted for youโ the people of Plateau State in general will define the legacy of your administration in the coming years.
Therefore I recommend that you stay home and have regular chats with your people , to speak to us about โThe State of Our State.โ
Periodically your excellency I will recommend that you give the people Information on โthe State of Our State.โ The purpose of this to me is to tell Plateau people about the current state of situations and review your priorities and policies. It will be an opportunity for you to highlight accomplishments from the previous months , discuss current challenges facing the state, and lay out a vision for the future. In fact, this will keep you in check and in connection with your people.
When there is a problem, go beyond the press release. Speak with and to your people.
There are many destinies tied to your destiny! Your life and your actions have an impact on the lives of others. The choices and decisions you make will affect the course of other peopleโs lives, and that your destiny is intertwined with the destinies of those you govern. Sir, your success or failure will have a ripple effect on others, and your actions could inspire or discourage others to pursue their own goals.
Today, you have a responsibility to consider the impact of your choices on this state, on these people and I pray you act in a way that is mindful of the interconnectedness of all things.
Your Excellency sir, I will write you again, and share my thoughts about how some of the problems we face can be handled.
But right now, I say congratulations once more and God be with you.
Just so when some people thought that we are all finished in Jos, Plateau State, I hear us all saying, with the coming of this government that ; โThis just the beginning of greater prosperity .โ With the hands of our political leadership, with the choice we have made all to live in peace and to contribute our quota in making this state beautiful again, Plateau is rising!
God bless the amazing people of Plateau State, you are the unsung heroes!
God Bless Plateau State, God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Yours Sincerely,
๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฏ๐๐๐๐๐๐
herbert@wejosrock.com