From Pwanagba Agabus, Jos
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday began a two-day working visit to Plateau State.
He was greeted by traditional rulers and other stakeholders with complaints of persistent killings by herdsmen and other bandits.
The first to draw Buharia��s attention the continued killing of his subjects, including a traditional ruler, was the Gbong Gwom Jos and Chairman, Plateau Council of Chiefs, Chief Gyang Buba,
Buba lamented the non-arrest of the killers of Chief Lazarus Agai, the first class traditional ruler of Ron-Kulere in Bokkos Local Government. Agai was killed by gunmen on his way from his farm in July 2016. His assailants are yet to be arrested assurances by the police authorities.
He told President Buhari who called at his palace in Jos that none of the killers had been arrested.
The monarch also lamented that no one had been arrested over the killings in Bassa, Riyom, Miango and other parts of Plateau, describing the situation as a�?quite disheartening.a�?
a�ZHe therefore appealed to Buhari to take a critical look at the situation with a view to apprehending and prosecuting the perpetrators to serve as a deterrent to others.
Buba appealed for the resuscitation of dams in the country to minimise land encroachment issues.
In his response, the President said that all the issues raised by Buba would be addressed.
He said: a�?I have been monitoring the activities of the Plateau State Peace-Building Agency; I am indeed quite impressed with gains and successes recorded in the area of conflict management and peace-building, which has returned this state on the path of relative peace.
“As I formally endorse and launch the Plateau State Roadmap to Peace, let me express the Federal Governmenta��s commitment to supporting and assisting the Peace Building Agency in its efforts to arrest the vicious cycle of violence and lay the foundation for sustainable peace.a�?
Buhari also promised to look into the genuine request for the dualisation and construction of the road from Abuja to Jos and the gateway extending to the North East, given the economic viability and conveniences.
a�?The desire of the state to turn Riyom General Hospital to Trauma/Disaster Hospital is a genuine one in view of the location of Riyom as the gateway into the state capital from Abuja. I will direct the Federal Ministry of Health and Federal Road Safety Corps to work with the Plateau State government towards the actualisation of this project,a�? Buhari said.
He urged traditional rulers to sensitise their people on the importance of peace, noting that no development could be achieved in a chaotic environment.
Upon arrival in the state, Buhari inspected a guard of honour before proceeding to commission some projects.
Among those who received the President at the Yakubu Gowon Airport Heipang near Jos, were Governor Simon Lalong and his Nasarawa State counterpart, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura.
Also present was the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Mr. Solomon Dalung, Senators Joshua Dariye and Jonah Jang state.
Others were members of House of Representatives from the state, members of the Plateau State Executive Council.
The President commissioned the Mararaba Jamaa-State Secretariat junction flyover and Miango Wildlife-Rafiki.
Gbong Gwom laments killings as Buhari visits Plateau
