PLATEAU: ONE YEAR IN OFFICE: WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS IN THE MINISTRY OF LANDS AND SURVEY, AFTER BLOCKING LOOPHOLES—PETER GAI (HON. COMMISSIONER)

By: Amb. Valentine Adese (JP),

The Honourable Commissioner of the Plateau State Ministry of Lands and Survey, Mr. Peter Gai, has disclosed that there were several loopholes found in the administration of the Ministry, after deliberate efforts were put in to sanitize the Ministry for more digital, efficient, and effective performance, immediately he resumed office.

The Commissioner who spoke in a press briefing today, at the NUJ Press Center, Jos, while giving update on the achievements of the Ministry in the past One Year said, the past administration in the state created a system where the manual and the digital processes ran at the same time, thereby creating complications.

PETER GAI, HON. COMMISSIONER

He said, with the assistance of the State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang (Esq), the Ministry now runs fully digitalized.  

While fielding answers to questions from Journalists concerning the findings, Mr. Gai said, he does not know of any 50% deduction made to the general public with respect to Ground Rents in the state by the immediate past administration.

He said, “Honestly, I was only told of the Ground Rent deduction. I am not aware. By the time I took office also, it had expired.  It was during my time and under the administration of Governor Mutfwang (Esq) that I wrote a Memo on the deduction of 50%, and the Governor graciously approved it. From record, it is now the longest, as it started since 15^th January 2024”.

HON. COMMISSIONER

On the issue of the New City Policy Plans of the immediate past administration and the new plans of the incumbent administration, Mr. Gai said, “Honestly too, I am also not aware of any new city plans by the immediate past administration. I have not seen any document making reference to it. If I see, I will say so!”

Adding that, “On the loopholes, I cannot call it stealing or looting, but it is more of Receipt Racketeering. Those who were generating receipt codes in the immediate past administration were cloning them, and such cases are everywhere. Some people have confessed to the acts, while tendering their apology.  

HON. COMMISSIONER, FLANKED

“There is also operational loopholes. Can you imaging that the Ministry was ran for 8 years without an operational vehicle? This is sad!”