I prioritized completion of existing projects over new initiatives – Mutfwang

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has opted not to award new contracts since assuming office, due to the numerous unfinished projects inherited from his predecessors.

In a meeting with journalists in Jos on Friday, marking his one-year anniversary in office, Governor Mutfwang denounced the harmful effects of unfinished projects on the state’s socioeconomic growth.

He explained that his administration prioritized completing existing projects over awarding new contracts, putting the needs of the people first.

The governor said his decisions would be hinged on the interest of the state and the people who voted him into office.

Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party took over from ex-Governor Simon Lalong of the All Progressives Congress in 2023.

Lalong, who contested the Senate seat and lost, was appointed the Minister of Labour and Employment by President Bola Tinubu and resigned after the Appeal Court returned him as a validly elected candidate for Plateau South senatorial district.

“In the past year, what we have done is an attempt to stabilise the system. We haven’t gone anywhere in what we want to do.

“Actually, we have not awarded new contracts. All we have tried to do is to revisit existing contracts because we realise that abandoning contracts is penny-wise, pounds foolish to the public treasury.

“We believe that government is a continuum and even if you don’t like the government that left, you have a responsibility to the public to continue with what is of benefit to them.”

The Governor, who has successfully rehabilitated over 30 urban roads and completed several abandoned bridges, including the Utonkon-Abattoir bridge, announced that more neglected projects will soon be completed and commissioned for public use.

He urged the citizens to maintain their support for his administration, enabling him to propel the state to even greater heights.

“I want to appreciate the people, especially how they have appreciated our interventions in terms of infrastructure, the road networks that we have tried to improve and we will continue to improve them.

“We will always believe in citizens’ participation. When people give us feedback about the quality of those works, we receive them and make sure that they are properly done so that the people can get the value for their money,” the governor added.