Gov Mutfwang inaugurates Plateau economic advisory council

The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, has inaugurated a 16-member economic advisory council to review policies in the state and introduce new ones that would drive the state’s economy on the path of prosperity.

Speaking shortly after the inauguration at the Little Ray Field Government House, Mutfwang said the members of the Plateau economic advisory council were carefully selected to add value to the administration, adding that the main job of the council is to advise on how to turn opportunities into prosperity.

ALSO READ: Plateau forests, games, grazing reserves now occupied by terrorists —Mutfwang

According to him, based on the available resources on the ground, Plateau State should not be ranked among the poorest states in Nigeria and is somewhere down the pecking order in the poverty index simply because it has not harnessed its potentials and opportunities.

“We must turn the advantages God has given us into wealth for our people. Some of the dimensions of our crisis, even the insurgency, I’m sure, will be addressed when we prosper economically. At the root of this is poverty,” he said.

He highlighted that the grazing reserve in the state that has been under bandit occupation for 15 to 20 years has been reclaimed while the bandits have been substantially defeated, adding that the reserve has been reclaimed to set up ranches.

“Yet, some people went on air attacking us, saying we want to bring Ruga. Just ask questions and you’ll get answers. Under the National Livestock Transformation Plan, there’s no Ruga—not a single mention. There’s nowhere in Nigeria where you can raise livestock better than on the Plateau. Check it.

“Now, the cattle that have been causing insecurity? They give only two liters of milk. When we set up our ranches, you’ll see cows producing 20 liters or more. Should we continue with two liters? I don’t think we’re being fair to ourselves. Let’s shift the paradigm. Let’s leave our comfort zones and begin to do things differently,” he said.

The governor therefore tasked the council to study the environment, identify areas of priority, and make recommendations on where the government should focus to attract investment and advise the government on how to position Plateau people to benefit from increased economic activities.

ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE