Plateau monarch urges government action on illegal mining in North Central 

Jacob Gyang Buba, the Gbong Gwom Jos and Chairman of Plateau State Council of chiefs has commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for signing the bill that established the North Central Development Commission (NCDC).

Speaking with Journalists in Jos, Buba expressed his appreciation for the president’s decision, which he described as a significant move to address the region’s numerous challenges.

According to the Gbong Gwom Jos, the establishment of the NCDC will help alleviate the issues faced by the North Central Zone. He extended his gratitude to the governors of the North Central states and members of the National Assembly for their contributions to the passage of the bill, which has been long anticipated by the people of the region.

The monarch emphasized the importance of unity and responsibility in the appointments to the NCDC, urging that those selected for the commission’s board should be committed to the development of the entire North Central Zone.

“We appeal to everyone in the North Central to work together to ensure that the benefits of this commission are spread across the geopolitical zone. When it comes to appointments to the board of the commission, we urge that there should be a representative of the entire North Central. Those who will be entrusted with running the commission must always remember the purpose for which it was established”.

He highlighted that the commission should be representative of all states within the region, ensuring that its benefits are equitably distributed.

Buba further stressed the need for the members of the commission to remember their primary responsibility: fostering development across the zone. He called on all stakeholders to work collaboratively to ensure that the new commission achieves its goals for the betterment of the people in North Central Nigeria.

In addition to welcoming the creation of the NCDC, the Gbong Gwom Jos voiced concern over the persistent insecurity, including banditry and kidnappings, that continue to plague the region. He called on the government to take decisive action to address these critical issues, which have disrupted daily life and hindered economic growth.

The monarch also expressed alarm over the environmental degradation caused by illegal mining activities in the region, as well as the troubling rise in child trafficking, particularly in Plateau State. Buba urged the government to act swiftly to combat these harmful practices and protect the people of North Central Nigeria.

The Gbong Gwom Jos made an impassioned appeal for the urgent rehabilitation of the road linking Akwanga through Jos to Bauchi and Gombe. He noted that the road has been in a terrible state for years, causing unnecessary travel delays and increasing costs.

With the establishment of the NCDC, Buba expressed hope that the road’s reconstruction would be prioritized, facilitating smoother movement and boosting economic activities in the region.