Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang has today inaugurated Chairman and members of the State local Government Service Commission.
In a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, said the Governor used the occasion and reiterated the commitment of his administration to reposition the Local Government system for enduring development of Plateau State.
Speaking on the occasion the Governor also noted that the Local Government system is operated by the Local Government Service Commission, and that energy would be channeled in that direction to attract development to the grassroots.
Governor Mutfwang also explained that, that is why “We have carefully selected people who know the system, people who can add value to the system, like Honourable Joyce Ramnap coming very fresh from the NIPSS. I am sure she has a lot of vibrant knowledge that can add value to the local government system. There is lack of capacity, there is disorder in the local government system”.
Governor Mutfwang added that “This ceremony has become necessary because of the importance we attach to the local government system. Ordinarily, we would have waited to fill up other positions before we do the inauguration. But we thought it is necessary to get this system going. There are urgent tasks that must be performed.
As you know, the Local Government Service Commission is the operator of the local government system”, he noted, and observe also that “the Ministry for local government deals with policy, while the Local Government Service Commission operates the local government system. Let me say this with the benefit of hindsight and experience as a former local government chairman: I know that the local government system is in dire need of reformation”.
“A lot of the rules and regulations operating the local government were formulated during the military era, and everything that happens there is a bit haphazard. We need to bring order. We need to bring organization. We need to position the local government system for the future. We need to be able to ensure that we improve capacity in the local government system”, he emphasized.
Governor Mutfwang also expressed gratitude to the State civil servants: “Let me thank the Workers’ Union, particularly at the state level, for calling off their strike last Friday. That means that the business of government will begin in earnest; and I’m confident also that the local government staff would also call off their own as soon as possible. We need to get the local government system working”.
In spite of the security challenges confronting the state, Governor Mutfwang assured the people of Plateau state that he will make sure that the local government system in Plateau is efficient enough to deliver on good governance for the benefit of the people at the local level.
He added, “in the next one or two weeks we should have the cabinet in place. And like I keep saying, you don’t need to lobby.Stay at home. God will locate you. Even if we make some appointments that you thought you could have filled in, better just be patient. We will keep making the announcements as the months go by, but the most critical one for now is for us to get the Executive Council in place.”
The Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Chief Simon Tangni expressed gratitude for finding them worthy to serve in that capacity and said they will work collectively to deliver on their mandate.