Plateau State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Ephraim Usman Gar has disclosed that the Plateau State Government is planning to construct six (6) Kilometers roads in each of the 17 Local Government Areas of the State.
The Commissioner made the disclosure when he received officials of the Plateau State Youth Veterans on a courtesy visit to the Ministry.
In a statement by the Information Officer of the Ministry Edward Bulus Damwesh, it was noted that Hon. Usman informed the gatherung that the present administration is operating an open-door policy, and that it welcomes constructive criticism and counsel aimed at bringing progress to the State.
He informed them that the ‘ Time is Now’ administration led by Barr. Mutfwang inherited about 32 billion naira pension arrears and gratuity and that it is doing everything possible to ensure that it is settled and called on the people of the state to continue to pray for the success of the Government.
Earlier in his remarks, the state chairman of the association, Comrade Kevin Keswo commended the administration for its open-door policy and development at all levels, citing the physical transformation of the Ministry’s office complex as evidence of government’s commitment to growth and development.
He called on the Plateau State Government and the 17 Local Government Councils to look into the issue of Local Government pension arrears and gratuity and ensure that the backlog, especially of gratuity of the local governments and state are settled.
Also at the Ministry were the state officials of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) led by its chairman, Comrade Yohanna Arandong Makwin who said they were in the Ministry to introduce the newly elected officials of the union and commended the state government and the 17 local government councils for offsetting the backlog of local government salaries, pensions and teachers arrears which amounted to about 7 billion naira.
He also thanked them for implementing the new National Minimum Wage for local government employees
He called on the Ministry and the seventeen (17) local government councils to review upward the local government pension and ensure that payment of its gratuity is given priority.
Responding, the Commissioner, Chief Ephraim Usman Gar commended the local government workers for their peaceful conduct and assured them that government was working out modalities on how to clear the backlog of the pension and gratuity.
