Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to resettling Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in their ancestral homes and tackling corruption in land administration, following the presentation of two critical reports on Tuesday.
Speaking at the New Government House in Little Rayfield, Jos, Governor Mutfwang received the report of the Resettlement Committee, which was set up in March 2024 to coordinate the phased return of displaced persons across the state.
Describing the report as a “milestone,” Mutfwang commended members of the committee for their dedication, particularly their willingness to visit volatile areas despite security risks. He vowed to submit the report to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to seek urgent federal support for its implementation.
“Our people have suffered displacement for more than two decades. When I publicly raised alarm about communities being taken over, I was criticized. This report now vindicates that position,” the governor stated.
The Resettlement Task Force, chaired by retired Air Commodore Christopher Pam, recommended a phased return process, supported by enhanced security and the reconstruction of destroyed infrastructure.
Earlier in the day, Governor Mutfwang also received the report of the Committee on Land Administration, chaired by Barrister Isaac Dimka.
The report revealed deep-rooted corruption in the land sector, including illegal sales of government land, diversion of funds, and multiple compensation claims due to poor record-keeping.
“We have paid billions in compensation for the same parcels of land. In some instances, fraudulent court judgments were obtained because of missing or manipulated records,” the governor lamented.
He accused some retired civil servants of sabotaging recovery efforts by withholding crucial documents and warned that illegal developments in Jos could turn the city into a “glorified slum.” He announced immediate plans to enforce land regulations and urged whistleblowers to come forward.
In response to the land administration crisis, the governor outlined a digitization initiative to upgrade Plateau State’s Geographic Information System (GIS), enabling online access to land records and title applications. He also pledged strict enforcement of the Anti-Land Grabbing Law.
The 167-page land administration report calls for a new Greater Jos Master Plan, enforcement of key High Court judgments, and the domestication of national urban planning laws.
“These reports will not gather dust,” Governor Mutfwang assured. “We will act decisively. The private sector will play a key role in reviving abandoned government housing estates.”