In what appears a determined move to dispel reports that the Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang does not like the Muslims in the state, Jang yesterday said he is a governor for all irrespective of religious, political and tribal differences.
Already , he has directed with immediate effect the construction of good road networks and drainage to in Rikkos Community, a suburb hosting Muslims in the State Capital to curtail the flood disaster that claimed scores of lives and properties worth millions of Naira last week.
Governor Jang who addressed over 1000 displaced people mostly Children, women and the aged taking refuse at Collage of Arabic and Islamic studies/Muslim Community Education Centre Rikkos said the flood was caused by lack of good drainage system.He said government will pay compensation for houses that will be demolished in the course of the road construction adding that the flood is a natural disaster that could have occurred anywhere.
Said Jang “I am going to direct surveyors to come and survey the affected communities because we are determined to open Jos city and develop it to a desirable standard. For us to carry out this development houses must be demolish and we will pay compensation for that”
Jang urged Muslim Communities in the state to cooperate with Government in the development of the state as he added “my government has good intention for the Muslims in the state but some people said I hate the Muslims which is not true. I want you to cooperate with government so that you will enjoy the dividend of democracy”
The governor condoled with the bereaved families over the heavy down pour that wreaked havoc in the state, and urged them to take solace in God.
The Governor said “all houses that are built on water ways will be demolished and compensation will be paid to the owners in oder for us to save lives. It is better we build our communities in a good manner so that we will not have a repeat of what happened”
Governor Jang also urged Muslims in the state to know that the crisis which has continued unabated in the state for over a decade is been caused by people outside the state .He urged them not to harbour anybody who will destroy lives and properties in the state.
He said the recent ban on Motorcycle raiders in the state is not an attempt to witch hunt anybody but it is government plan to restore sanity in the state.Jang said government has over 300 vehicles and Tricycles on ground and urged the Muslim communities who were doing Okada in the state and have not been given Tricycles to submit their lists for immediate supply.
Jang also visited Kakuruk and Gashis villages in Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area where over 40 people were massacred and assured the villagers of government’s determination to ensure lasting peace return to the state.
The governor advised the youths to organise themselves into vigilante groups to protect the area and pray for the intervention of God in the security of the state