By MARTHA AGAS

Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has said his administration was committed in ensuring that the Pandam Forest in Qu’an Pan Local Government Area was no longer a hideout for criminals.

The governor stated this on Wednesday during the installation and presentation of staff of office to two second class chiefs in Qua’an Pan area at the local government mini stadium.

The installed chiefs are the Long Kwo of Kwo Kingdom, Miskoom Fidelis Attahiru, and the Long Jan of Namu Kingdom, Miskoom Safiyanu Magaji III.

“I am aware of the security concerns about criminal activities in and around the forests in Qua’an Pan LGA and others. Let me assure our people that the government is working hard to address this situation and enhance security and safety of the people.

“Already, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the taking over of the Pandam Game Reserve by the Federal Government as a National Park.

“It means that the security of Pandam Wild Life Park is now in the hands of Mr President,” he said.

He charged the traditional rulers to be proactive in ensuring peaceful coexistence and exposing criminals in their domains.

“In addition, we expect that the recently trained and deployed Community Police Constables ad vigilante groups will be carried along in intelligence gathering that is vital to addressing criminality,” he said.

He said traditional institutions were necessary to preserve cultural heritage and for social cohesion,while urging the leaders to discharge their duties diligently.

While presenting the staff of office to them, he urged them to imbibe fairness, justice and no favourtism in their discharge of duties, while praying for wisdom from them.

“I pray for wisdom to rule the people, show mercy, compassion, lead without fear and favour,” he said.

The governor implored the rulers to join the state government in its advocacy campaign for the COVID-19 vaccination by sensitising their wards on the benefits.

He commiserated with the victims of the Yam market inferno in Namu community and encouraged them, saying a committee has been set up to forestall similar incidents.

Responding, the Long Kwo of Kwo Chiefdom, Miskoom Fidelis Attahiru, thanked the governor for the installation, saying it has reached the traditional institutions from collapse, especially Kwo Chiefdom which has been without a ruler for 33 years.

He said they would support Lalong’s administration in ensuring peaceful coexistence in their domains, through ensuring the safety of farms to engage youths in farming

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of Qua’an Pan Local Government Council, Mr Abdulmalik Haruna, thanked the governor for the installation, saying it is timely to salvage ethnic groups who have been without leadership for many decades.

He urged the newly installed royal fathers to have a good working relationship with their colleagues, foster unity and cooperation for the progress of their communities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lalong had earlier visited the Namu community yam market gutted by fire on March 28, and made a donation of N10 million to the victims.

More than 18 trucks of yams and stalls were destroyed by the inferno.

The governor also paid a courtesy visit to the paramount ruler of Gamai nation in Shendam Local Government Area, Miskoom Martin Shaldas III, to thank him for peaceful coexistence in the community.

The governor also visited on going works at the Shendam bye-pass bridge. (NAN)

•PHOTO: The Long Kwo of Kwo Chiefdom, Miskoom Fidelis Attahiru (Left), Gov Simon Lalong of Plateau (middle) and the Long Jan of Namu Kingdom, Miskoom Safiyanu Magaji III, during their installation and presentation of staff of office, on Wednesday at Qu’an Pan Local Government Mini Stadium

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