Plateau Commissioner pushes for Mutfwang’s re-election, defends achievements

The Plateau State Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Hon. Bashir Lawandi Datti, has expressed confidence in Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang’s chances in the 2027 governorship election, citing ongoing development projects across the state.

Hon. Datti speaking to Journalist on Tuesday in Jos said the governor had given his ministry the attention and support needed to pursue water and electricity projects.

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The Plateau State Government says ongoing water infrastructure projects and the rehabilitation of existing facilities are part of efforts to ease water shortages affecting residents across the state.

According to him, the government was implementing water projects under the World Bank-supported SURWASH programme and the French Development Agency-funded urban water project.

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Datti said the ongoing urban water project includes the rehabilitation of the Yakubu Gowon and Laminga water treatment facilities, alongside the expansion of water distribution pipelines across the Jos-Bukuru master plan area.

He added that the project is expected to cover about 284 kilometres of water pipelines and provide meters for approximately 27,000 households.

The commissioner disclosed that the project, initially expected to end in December, had received a two-year extension, giving the state more time to complete the planned works.

Datti said the government had rehabilitated about 500 hand-pump boreholes and 80 solar-powered boreholes during the first phase of its intervention, alongside repairs and construction of community water schemes.

He identified projects in Mado, Lantan South and Bobodi, as well as planned interventions in Ikuku and Nasarawa Gwom, among the efforts to improve access to water.

On electricity, the commissioner said the state had partnered with the Rural Electrification Agency to expand access to power in underserved communities. He cited projects in Kompan, Namu and a solar mini-grid initiative in Panshin, while adding that a separate transmission project by the Transmission Company of Nigeria was ongoing to improve electricity supply to southern Plateau.

Datti said the government intended to sustain the interventions to improve living conditions and reduce the burden on residents who struggle to access basic services.

He argued that the administration’s performance should be assessed through its ongoing infrastructure projects and their potential benefits to residents.

The commissioner also defended the governor’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, dismissing suggestions that the move had slowed government activities.

According to Datti, the change in political affiliation had not prevented the ministry from carrying out its responsibilities, adding that the administration remained focused on development.

He also explained that the Zamadaram movement began as a show of support for Mutfwang during the legal challenges that followed the 2023 governorship election. He said the movement initially centred on the governor but had since expanded to support APC candidates.

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