‘’The need for sustainable development
on the Plateau’’
In
the past few decades, Plateau State has been an integral contributor to the
nation’s wealth through its various tourist centres such as Kura Falls, the Volcanic
hills of Kerang, the Wase Rock which is one of the only five breeding places
for the white pelican in Africa,Shere
Hills,The National Museum in Jos
which was founded in 1952 is renowned for its archaeological artefacts dated
back to 200AD among others. It was the centre for tourists attraction and peace
as its slogans the ‘’Home of Peace and Tourism’’. The state which is located in
the middle of Nigeria has a population of over 3 million people comprising of
forty different ethnic groups in 17 local governments areas.
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| Plateau state |
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| plateau state |
In September, 2001 the state was erupted by
ethno-religious violence. Since then,the state’s name and image in the country
and the international community began to perish. The state was in pandemonium
since the eruption of the violence which has claimed thousands of lives and
billions if not trillions of properties. In this regard, some shameless and
unpatriotic elements had change the slogans of the state from the ‘’Home of
Peace and Tourism’’ to the so called the ‘’home of violence and destructions’’,which
I describe as quack and myopic ways of thinking.
Even
though, the violence was attributed to ethno-religious differences, illiteracy,
unemployment, selfishness and tribalism, the government was also to be blamed
for not taking necessary measures to tackle the problem. There were structural
imbalances, marginalization of the minority groups as well as other forms of
differences which were exacerbated through actions and inactions of government
officials on separate occasions. The security forces in the state both federal
and state were biased and politicised in executing their functions. These
problems have succeeded in the destruction of our beloved Plateau State.
When
the wind of change started blowing in the country and the aftermath of the 2015
general elections, the people of Plateau were desperate to change not only the
government but their bad attitudes as well. This attitudinal change is the
first step toward achieving unity, peace, tranquillity as well as sustainable
development in the state. Immediately after the wind of change was blown
nationwide, Plateau people began to surrender their arms and embrace peace.
Though, the government at both the centre and the regions were experiencing
tough economic and security challenges, the government took the first measure
by ensuring peace which will give room for domestic and foreign investors to
invest in the state.
Through
agriculture and mining, the government will generate a lot of income. And that
can only be achieved when the government prioritize the two sectors as the
backbone of the state’s economic development.
The
tourism sector should however, be upgraded to meet modern standards and be
provided with maximum security outfit which will attract tourists from
different parts of the world. If this is achieved, it will serve as another
source of revenue generation to the state.
Moreover,
providing an enabling learning environment, full of equipment and teachers in
order to reduce the rate of illiteracy and will bridge the gap between this
tribes and uneven development in the state.
By
and large, strengthening citizenship and good governance, deepening
communication links and relationship between and within communities, ethnic groups
and societies as well as creation of community based conflict resolution and
dialogue committees will ensure sustainable peace, unity and development on the
Plateau State.
Finally, equity,
justice and the rule of law will go a long way in building transparency and
accountability in governance. This will, however, ensures good governance, free
from corruption and nepotism which will eventually leads to sustainable
development on the Plateau and Nigeria in general.Thanks for reading...
All opinion expressed are of ABUBAKAR MUSA ABDULLAHI (BUK MACOSA PRESIDENT 2016/2017).
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