• This is the real deal, say residents
By Henry Umahi
It was not for nothing that Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State received the prestigious The Sun Governor of the Year Award 2024. His projects, projections and precision got him the glittering diadem.
Mutfwang is a leader in whom his people are very well pleased because they enjoy the benefits of indigeneship and residency. According to Mr. John Panmun, an indigene of the state, “Since assuming office, he has remained committed to lifting the burdens of the people through soul-lifting and heart-warming projects. He has demonstrated uncommon passion for the development of Plateau for the benefit of all.”
Putting his activities into perspective, Mutfwang told Daily Sun: “When we took over, we were clear-minded that our main focus was to lift our people out of poverty. We came with the understanding that the main constraint, the main thing that has held back our people, is poverty, and that puts even the insecurity in context.
“That is part of the battle to keep our people in perpetual poverty. Plateau State is one of the most blessed lands in the country. Our advantage in agriculture is God-given.”
The hearts of many indigenes and residents of Plateau State were bursting with excitement when he recently inaugurated some of the projects executed by his administration. It is like, as someone noted, “the excitement of dreams coming true is beyond the description of words.”
“Our people have never had it so good. This is the real deal,” Musa Azis, a Jos resident, told the reporter.
On Democracy Day, Mutfwang commissioned 15 new buses acquired for the state transport company, bringing the number to 30. At the event, held at Old Government House, Rayfield: he said: “This is a very important day for us that we are seeing the revival of one of the legacy institutions of Plateau state by our founding fathers.
“Plateau Express Service began many years ago and it has gone through a lot of challenges and I’m proud to say that the last time Plateau Express Service was working for Plateau people was under the last PDP administration. And here again as PDP government, we are proud to key into the initiative of the President.
“When Mr President came in, he charged us, governors, to make sure we do all we can to alleviate the suffering of the people, especially with the removal of fuel subsidy and we thought that one of the key sector that will have impact on lives of our people is the transport sector, it is a critical sector of our live.
“Today we are commissioning functional transport system within the metropolis which is benefiting the people greatly. I recalled seeing the video of the applauses, the joy, the dances in celebration by citizens of the state when these buses were turning into the town. It gives me energy that we will do more for the people of Plateau State.”
He also shed light on other activities of his administration, volunteering: “Today, we have revived Plateau Express Service, we are reviving ASTC. We are reviving Panyam Fish Farm, we are reviving JIB, we are reviving Plateau Hotel, we are reviving Hill Station Hotel, we are also reviving the Jos Wildlife Park, the Abattoir and list goes on and on. Let me tell Plateau people that we have not started yet.”
The group Managing Director/CEO, Plateau Express Services, Hon. Samuel Gwot, said: “When we launched the first 15 buses, many were skeptical. They said, ‘Let’s wait and see. It won’t survive three months.’ But here we are, 15 buses still running strong, moving over 9,000 people every single day.
“Some laughed at our travel card initiative, N3,000 seemed like a big deal to some. They said, ‘Who will pay that for a card?’. But sir, today, we have recorded nearly 60,000 active cardholders, and the demand is rising every week a clear sign that people are ready for structure when it’s sincere.” He shared with joy all over him.
“Exactly one year ago, I stood on a podium like this grateful and determined because you believed in me, Your Excellency. And today, I return, not with empty words, but with evidence of what that belief has produced.
“Your Excellency, it will interest you to know that there was some confusion about the ownership of this project. Some thought the buses were from federal interventions or donors. But today, with all due respect, I want to set the record straight. Both Phase 1 and now Phase 2 of Tincity Metro Buses were 100%, funded, and delivered by your administration the Time Is Now government.”
That same day, Mutfwang also commissioned a state -of–the-art laboratory, paediatric ward and office complex, at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos;
Utonkon Bridge and adjoining Roads, at the Utonkon – Abattoir Road as well as one storey administrative block and refurbished Joshua Dariye Hall, at the Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi, Jos campus.
Mutfwang had declared 2025 a year of infrastructure. It was a statement of intent backed by action. Plateau has become one huge construction site. Infrastructure once abandoned is being revived. Roads are being constructed, schools rehabilitated, hospitals upgraded, and clean water supplied to communities long neglected. Salaries that once came late now arrive promptly.
Security of lives and property is also a top priority for the Mutfwang administration. Ensuring the safety of citizens lies at the heart of his governance philosophy.
However, security remains one of the most daunting challenges the governor inherited upon assumption of office. Even before his inauguration, as governor-elect, terrorists launched deadly attacks on Mangu, Bokkos, and Barkin-Ladi local government areas, resulting in significant loss of lives.
Mutfwang firmly believes that acknowledging the root causes of a problem is the first step towards finding sustainable solutions.
Mutfwang remains unwaveringly committed to urban transformation under the “The Time is Now” administration.
His blueprint for modernizing legacy infrastructure and expanding road networks across the state’s 17 local government areas has translated into visible development milestones. Midway through his term, the governor has prioritized the continuation and completion of critical road projects, earning widespread public support.
Following the merger of the former Ministries of Housing and Physical Planning, the government swiftly renovated 19 office spaces at the J.D. Gomwalk Secretariat, creating conducive work environments. Official vehicles were refurbished, and offices were equipped with modern work tools, including laptops and printers for senior management.
Other key achievements of the administration is the revitalization of Operation Rainbow, a security outfit; public service reforms, restoration of over 900 hectares of farmland to displaced farmers, with N16 billion worth of agricultural inputs distributed, rehabilitation of 111 km of urban roads and initiated over 3,000 km of new projects, including 380 km of rural access roads, a implementation of a 50% tuition fee reduction for Plateau indigenes and infrastructure improvement in schools across all 17 local government areas in the state.
According to the governor, these projects are the result of deliberately prioritizing the people, forgoing luxury and prudent use of state resources. Emphasizing that his administration is just getting started, Mutfwang said: “We may not have reached the mountaintop yet, but we are no longer in the valley. Plateau is rising again — and by the grace of God, we shall all rise with it.”