The Plateau State Executive Council has approved the establishment of a Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction as part of efforts to improve the coordination of government interventions for vulnerable residents and people affected by emergencies.
The decision was taken at the council’s meeting presided over by Governor Caleb Mutfwang at the Government House, Rayfield, Jos, on Wednesday.
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The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, disclosed the council’s resolutions in a statement.
Mrs Ramnap said the new ministry would provide a dedicated institutional framework for coordinating humanitarian assistance, social protection and poverty-reduction programmes across Plateau.
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She said the ministry would incorporate the activities of the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Trauma Centre, although the statement did not specify whether the agencies would be merged into the new ministry or placed under its supervision.
The development comes as Plateau continues to grapple with humanitarian challenges arising from communal violence, displacement and other emergencies that have affected communities across the state.
SEMA has traditionally been responsible for coordinating emergency response and relief interventions in the state, including assistance to people displaced by crises and other disasters.
The commissioner said the new arrangement is expected to improve coordination among government agencies and strengthen collaboration between the state and federal governments on humanitarian and poverty-reduction programmes.
She said the ministry would also help ensure that interventions are better targeted at residents who need them most.
Council approves Jos market renovation
The council also approved the renovation of the administrative buildings of the Jos Main Market and the Satellite Market.
According to the commissioner, the renovation is aimed at improving the functionality, operational efficiency and management of the markets.
The council further approved the procurement and installation of additional solar-powered streetlights and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, as well as the maintenance of existing streetlights across the Jos-Bukuru metropolis.
Under the approved security and infrastructure programme, 4,029 streetlight infrastructure units will be covered, while 199 CCTV cameras will be procured and installed in two phases.
The government said the measures are intended to strengthen surveillance and improve public safety within the metropolis.
The projects are coming amid continuing concerns over security in parts of Plateau, where authorities have repeatedly faced pressure to improve surveillance, emergency response and protection of residents.
The deployment of CCTV cameras and expansion of street lighting could also improve monitoring of public spaces and potentially support security agencies in responding to incidents, although the government did not provide details of the locations where the cameras would be installed or the timeline for completing the projects.
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Government promises inclusive development
Mrs Ramnap said the projects and institutional reforms reflected the administration’s commitment to protecting vulnerable residents, improving public safety and supporting economic activities.
She said the state government remained committed to implementing policies and programmes aimed at promoting inclusive development and creating an enabling environment for sustainable economic growth.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Governor Josephine Piyo and other members of the State Executive Council.
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