Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau assured on Monday in Jos that his administration would rejuvenate and reinvigorate the state’s security network, “Operation Rainbow’’.
Plateau established “Operation Rainbow’’ in 2010 as part of efforts to address insecurity in the state.
Mutfwang made Monday’s declaration at a meeting of the reconstituted Plateau State Elders Forum which he convened.
“Operation Rainbow is duly licensed by the Federal Government and we shall make it fully operational and ensure that it protects our communities.
“We are working in concert with security agencies for the training of manpower for Operation Rainbow and I am confident that they will discharge their duties with a sense of patriotism,’’ the governor said.
He explained that he convened the meeting to get the contribution of the elders on peaceful coexistence in the state.
Mutfwang described the elders as critical stakeholders of the Plateau project and repositories of knowledge and wisdom.
He acknowledged the elders inputs as crucial to deliver the expectations of Plateau people and assured that the meeting would be held regularly.
The governor also promised to revive the Inter-religious Council and have constant interactions with the Plateau Youth Council to ensure peace in the state.
He appealed to the elders to promote unity in their various domains to enhance development.
Mutfwang also told the meeting that his administration inherited a debt of ₦300 billion and outstanding workers’ salaries accruing to ₦11 billion, as well as security challenges.
“We have not found any sector of life on the Plateau that is not in need of political intervention,’’ he said.
Mutfwang also acknowledged that Plateau had received ₦2 billion out of the N5 billion fuel subsidy removal palliatives from the Federal Government.
He said government had already allocated 3,000 bags of rice to the vulnerable in the state.
He added that a committee had been constituted to recommend innovative ways of using the palliatives to cover a wide spectrum of needs.
According to him, the committee will consider reviewing bursary of students and facilitating access to subsidized fertilizers for farmers to boost agriculture.
He said that he would sanities local government administration in Plateau to function efficiently to bring governance to the grassroots.
The governor added that his administration would work toward revamping the rail system that ran through Plateau now that it had launched direct flight operations between Jos and Abuja in partnership with Value Jet Airline.
Mutfwang explained that the revamping of the rail line would facilitate affordable transportation, particularly for the indigent.
