REMARKS BY H.E. RT.
HON. (DR) SIMON BAKO LALONG, KSGG, EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE AT THE
INAUGURATION OF THE NEW EXCO AND AWARD BY THE JOINT UNION OF PLATEAU STATE
OWNED TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS (JUPTI) HELD AT THE J.C DARIYE HALL, PLATEAU STATE
POLYTECHNIC, JOS CAMPUS ON 5TH FEBRUARY 2021.
PROTOCOLS
1. It gives me immense
pleasure to be here with you today and witness the inauguration of the newly
elected Executives of the Joint Union of Plateau State Owned Tertiary
Institutions (JUPTI).
2. Similarly, I am
deeply humbled that this body chose this occasion to honour me with an award
for the modest efforts of my administration towards the welfare of workers in
tertiary institutions owned by Plateau State.
3. Let me
therefore congratulate the new executives and members of this great union for
ushering in a new leadership that will steer the ship of the body for the next
dispensation. I wish you a very fruitful tenure and assure you of Government
support and collaboration.
4. My dear workers, an
occasion such as this provides the opportunity to highlight some of the efforts
the Government is making in developing education in the State. You are
witnesses to the passion that we have shown since coming into office to Rescue
the Education Sector and the State as a whole.
5. I am of the deep
conviction that unless we educate our citizens and enable them acquire the
capacity to deploy their talents for empowerment, we cannot go anywhere as a
State. An uneducated citizenry is not only difficult to govern, but even harder
to mobilise for impact.
6. This explains why
we have continued to give education the needed priority since we took office in
2015. From the primary, secondary to tertiary levels, we have made significant
interventions that have repositioned our institutions for better performance.
7. For instance,
you will recall that when I came into office as Governor, the Plateau State
University Bokkos was virtually shut down and comatose. Because of my passion
for education and the fact that I was instrumental to passing the bill that
established it while I was Speaker, we moved quickly to remove all barriers to
ensure that the school reopens.
8. Today, the
University has blossomed and is fast growing. Not only did we ensure that the
first ever Convocation Ceremony of the University was held in 2017 but followed
up with preparation for the 3rd, 4th & 5th combined Convocation Ceremony of
the University which was held virtually in August 2020 due to COVID-19.
9. Apart from ensuring
the accreditation of over 14 courses, three new faculties have been approved
including Law, Health Sciences and Environmental Science with the fourth,
Agriculture soon to be introduced.
10. While the State
Government continues to approve funds for infrastructural development of the
University, including remodeling of multi-purpose hall to serve as Law
Auditorium as well as the construction of Teaching Hospital for the new faculty
of health sciences in Shendam, we have successfully lobbied for various
gigantic projects being executed by TetFund.
11. That is why I was
taken aback when the Academic Staff Union of PLASU claimed that they were going
on strike because the State Government does not have any project in the school.
This is rather most unfortunate and to say the least incorrect, ridiculous and
uncharitable.
12. Besides trying to
trivialize the matter and ridicule the Government and the University, the
damage that such wild insinuation does on the prospects for future benefit from
such funding is unimaginable. While others are envying Plateau State for
accessing such huge projects, some people who are direct beneficiaries are not
showing appreciation.
13. In any case, I
have since set up a 7-man Committee which is interfacing with ASUU to ensure
that our children go back to school. I appeal again to the striking lecturers
to show maturity and call off the strike as we look into their grievances.
14. The Government is
giving similar attention to other tertiary institutions owned by the State in
terms of infrastructure, manpower and staff welfare. Whether it is Plateau
State Polytechnic; Plateau State College of Health Technology Zawan; College of
Education Gindiri; College of Arts, Science and Technology, Kurgwi; College of
Agriculture Garkawa; College of Nursing & Midwifery Vom or others, the
target is the same.
15. This explains why
the Lalong Legacy Projects are dominated by education and health institutions
which are being developed to world-class standards. Because of the need to
ensure that we get functional education, we have also decided to introduce two
more Technical Colleges in Shendam and Pankshin as well as upgrade the one in
Bukuru.
16. In terms of
welfare, we have continued to demonstrate that we are a labour friendly
Government which cares for its workers and will go to any length to make them
confortable. The evidence is there for all to see except for those who are
blinded by sentiments.
17. Should we talk
about the consistency in payment of salaries and allowances; the new minimum
wage; the payment of 8 months arrears inherited from the past administration;
the payment of no-work-no-pay; recall of sacked primary school teachers;
regular promotion of staff with benefits; scholarships or sponsorship for more
trainings? These all attest to the fact that we want a better workforce that
will drive development in the State.
18. Again our records
have falsified the desperation to castigate our administration as uncaring and
hostile to labour as we witnessed during the recent sponsored protests that
were staged by persons said to be Local Government staff. Luckily, the Local
Governments Councils which are now autonomous have done the needful to pay
their employees the new minimum wage.
19. Above all, we have
every reason to rejoice for the wonderful things that have happened to our
State in recent days as far as education is concerned. Apart from the approval
for the establishment of a Federal Polytechnic in Shendam, two more
Universities have been approved. These are the Karl Kumm University Vom and
ANAN University of Accountancy, Kwall.
20. All along, the
State Government supported the quest for the establishment of these
Universities by providing and is also backing the establishment of another
Catholic University that is proposed to be established in Rim, Riyom LGA.
21. All these go to
demonstrate our determination to have an educated citizenry that will be able
to address issues from informed perspectives and avoid the pitfalls that are
associated with illiteracy and ignorance.
22. I charge the new
Executive and members of JUPTI to use your unique and strategic positions to be
a force for harmony and development of education in Plateau State. You should
always encourage dialogue rather than confrontation in resolving labour
disputes in order to engender industrial harmony in our citadels of learning.
23. My Government
assures you that it will continue to do everything within its power to improve
the welfare and well-being of workers both at the tertiary institutions and the
State in general. We all know that the times are hard and the economy is down
because of COVID-19. This means that we have to work together and manage the
little resources available.
24. Already, I have
exempted all tertiary institutions from contributing to the treasury single
account which means that they keep all funds generated 100 percent to use for
the development of the schools. I call on the managements of these institutions
to be prudent and avoid mismanaging such funds as Government will not take any
misconduct lightly.
25. Finally, I appeal
to you to actively participate in ensuring that COVID-19 protocols are fully
observed in all our tertiary institutions in Plateau State in order to make our
campuses safe. We have to all participate to defeat this virus.
26. Once more, I
congratulate you and wish you a successful tenure.
27. God bless Plateau
State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon
Bako Lalong, KSGG,
Executive Governor.
5th February, 2021.
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