Plateau Govt. approves establishment of Gender Commission

The Plateau government has approved the bill to establish the Gender Commission, to facilitate the implementation of the Gender Equal Opportunity (GEO) Law in the state.

The approval was announced by the state Commissioner for Justice, Mr Chrysanthus Ahmadu, at a press conference at the end of the state executive council meeting on Wednesday in Jos.

He said that the commission which is critical as a prerequisite for the smooth implementation of the GEO law, would consolidate efforts to end inequality and discrimination against women in all spheres of life.

He said that the council also approved a Bill for the establishment of the Plateau State Investment Promotion Agency (PSIPA) to boost the state’s economy.

He said the agency would incorporate the One Stop Investment Centre as well as the state’s Public Private Partnership agency, to further improve its business environment to attract investment.

Ahmadu said that the council also approved the Plateau State Agricultural Policy and Implementation Plan 2022-2027, and a bill for the establishment of Rural Access Road Agency and State Road fund.

Explaining further, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Hosea Finangwai, said that Plateau is among the 13 states in the country benefiting from a World Bank project to address the difficulties farmers experience in conveying their goods and services.

He said that the intervention under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP3), is also to address the challenges essential agencies experience in transferring innovation to rural farmers for improved agriculture products and services.

“The essence of this bill is to ensure we create a mechanism for sustainability of the project by taking social amenities to the door steps of our farmers.

“This is aimed at improving the economy, improving their livelihood, increasing their income, and generating revenue for the state government,” he said.

Also speaking at the briefing, the Commissioner for Finance, Dr Felicia Soemlat, said the council has approved over N1.6 billion for the implementation of various projects across the state.

The Commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Kenneth Horlong, said that the council also re-awarded the legacy project to a new contractor to complete it before the end of its administration.

She said that the legacy projects in the northern zone include four model primary schools and two model hospitals, while the central zone two model primary schools, two model secondary schools and two model hospitals.

Soemlat said that the southern Zone has five model primary schools, two model secondary schools and two hospitals, adding that the council also approved the engagement of zonal consultants in the districts for the projects, to ensure compliance with quality standards.

Other approvals include the engagement of consultant services to conduct feasibility studies for the rehabilitation of Bokkos and Langtang water treatment plants and the upgrading of Wase ground breaking water works.

She said that approval was also given for the engagement of consultant services to carry out feasibility studies and other related matters for water sanitation and hygiene facilities in Bokkos, Langtang North, Wase and Jos South local Governments, as well as for the installation of solar energy in some general and cottage hospitals across the state.