Dagwer said the relationship between the Plateau State Government and organised labour has witnessed a remarkable improvement under the Mutfwang administration, bringing an end to the frequent strikes and industrial disputes that previously disrupted government activities and, particularly, the academic calendar of public schools.
According to him, the era when teachers and other public servants regularly embarked on strike actions, resulting in prolonged disruptions to the education of children, appears to be gradually becoming a thing of the past.
He noted that the restoration of industrial harmony has created a more stable working environment and allowed schools to operate without the persistent interruptions that characterised previous years.
“The workforce remains the cornerstone of progressive governance and a critical force behind the successful implementation of government policies,” Danger said.
He commended Governor Mutfwang for maintaining what he described as a consistent record of prompt payment of salaries since assuming office, arguing that the policy has restored confidence and significantly boosted the morale of civil servants across the state.
For many workers, regular and predictable payment of salaries represents more than an administrative responsibility. It provides economic security for families and enables civil servants to meet their daily obligations without the uncertainty that often fuels tension between government and organised labour.
Dagwer also pointed to efforts by the administration to address long-standing issues surrounding unpaid pensions and gratuities.
He said significant progress has been made in tackling inherited liabilities, while efforts are being intensified to clear outstanding arrears and ensure that retired workers receive their entitlements without unnecessary delay.
The issue of pensions and gratuities has remained one of the most sensitive areas of government–labour relations in many states, particularly for retirees who depend on such payments after years of service.
Supporters of the Mutfwang administration believe the renewed attention to these obligations demonstrates a commitment to restoring dignity to retired public servants and addressing liabilities inherited from previous administrations.
Beyond salaries and pensions, the Plateau State Government has also invested substantially in training and capacity development programmes aimed at improving the efficiency and productivity of civil servants.
Through digital reforms, targeted training and institutional strengthening initiatives, the administration is seeking to reposition the public service to meet the growing demands of modern governance.
Dagwer said a modern government cannot effectively deliver development without a skilled, motivated and technologically equipped workforce.
He argued that investments in human capacity development would ultimately strengthen service delivery and improve the ability of government institutions to respond to the needs of citizens.
Another major area identified by supporters of the administration is housing.
The Plateau State Government has acquired 90 hectares of land at Besiki for affordable housing development, while another 50 hectares has been earmarked for the proposed Federal/State Renewed Housing Estate.
The government has also paid ₦256 million in compensation to facilitate the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Miango Estate.
Efforts are equally underway to revive the Kugiya Estate through continued dialogue with landowners.
Plans are also being considered for another housing development opposite the 10 Commandments area, subject to the resolution of outstanding legal and design issues.
For supporters of the government, these initiatives demonstrate an attempt to address housing as a long-term development challenge rather than merely a short-term political promise.
Affordable housing, they argue, remains one of the major concerns facing civil servants and other low-income earners, particularly in urban centres where the cost of accommodation continues to rise.
Dagwer also commended the introduction of Metro Buses and the efforts to revive the railway transportation system, describing them as important interventions in addressing the transportation difficulties faced by civil servants, students and other residents.
Transportation costs have, over the years, placed a heavy financial burden on workers, particularly those who travel long distances daily between their homes and workplaces.
With the introduction of subsidised transportation services, commuters can now travel certain routes at significantly reduced costs.
For instance, a journey from Farin Gada to Zawan, which could previously cost as much as ₦2,000, can now be undertaken at about ₦200 through the government-supported transportation system.
The intervention, according to supporters, has also brought relief to commuters travelling through routes linking Zawan and Haipang, among other communities.
Dagwer said the reduction in transportation costs has significantly alleviated the suffering of civil servants, students and other low-income residents who previously spent a substantial portion of their income on daily transportation.
He maintained that government policies must ultimately be measured by their direct impact on the lives of ordinary citizens.
For the workers and supporters who have benefited from the improved industrial relations, regular salary payments, transportation interventions and housing initiatives, the emerging narrative is that Governor Mutfwang’s administration is placing workers’ welfare at the centre of governance.
As Plateau State continues to pursue its broader development agenda, the relationship between government and the workforce will remain critical.
And for Bitrus Dagwer, the restoration of industrial peace, coupled with interventions in salaries, pensions, housing, capacity development and transportation, represents evidence that the Mutfwang administration is making deliberate efforts to build a more stable and productive public service.
The challenge going forward, however, will be to sustain these reforms and ensure that the benefits extend to workers and residents across all parts of Plateau State.
