JOS EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL NEWS:

Local Government Councils in Nigeria have been challenged to prioritize Internally generated Revenue to enable impact positively on the lives of the citizenry.

Leader, Senate Committee on Local Government project monitoring, Engr Kayode Adebayo threw the challenge while on a courtesy call on the Executive Chairman of Jos East Local Government Council in his Office at Angware, recently.

Engineer Adebayo said the Committee is charged with the responsibility of ensuring projects executed by each Council conforms with the yearnings and aspiration of the masses and expressed satisfaction with the projects executed by Jos East and most of the Local Government Councils in plateau State.

He further lamented on the delay in actualizing the financial autonomy to Local Government Councils in Nigeria, being the closes to the people, while calling on the Federal Government to expedite effort at doing the needful.

Responding, Executive Chairman of Jos East Local Government Council, Chief Markus Usaini Nyam unveiled that upon assumption of Office he embarked on tour of the entire Local Government area to know their problems and that his projects are based on the wishes and aspiration of the people.

He commended the Mutfwang time is now administration on the Plateau for given free hand to all the 17 Local Government Council Chairmen to operate. He equally thank the Senate Committee on project monitoring for having confidence on Engineer Adebayo and his team to assess the Local Government performance.

He said, the Local administration in Jos East, has beem it's search light on Internally Generated Revenue by constructing shops across the major markets to improve on the Revenue generation.and that the Council hope to continue in that vein to bridge the over dependency on monthly Federal allocation.

Meantime, the Executive Chairman of Jos East Local Government Council, Chief Markus Usaini Nyam has backed an award of excellence by the the Plateau Youth Council as presented by the Deputy Speaker, Comrade Drenkat Barry in recognition of the Chairman's steadfastness inclusion of about 80% Youth in his administration.

Responding, the Executive Chairman, Chief Markus Nyam expressed deep appreciation for the recognition and reaffirmed his commitment to doing more for the Youths, while advising them not to disappoint the society.

Sabarka Bawul

Assistant Chief Information Officer

Jos East Local Government Council

JOS EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL NEWS

Wife of Executive Chairman, Jos East Local Government Council, Comfort Nyam has encouraged Women to continue to demonstrate their virtuous the good at the home front and the Society at large.

This Council Firstly made the assertion during her interface with the women leaders, Counselors wives and Traditional Rulers Wives,'recently, to commemorate the 2025 International Women's Day at Angware, the Local Government Headquarters.

Comfort,applauded the women for standing by her and her Husband, the Executive Chairman, while their administration clock 100 days and also encouraged the Women to be role models to their communities as well as support their husbands in the up keep of respective homes.

Honourable Joyce Samuel, Secretary to the Local Government Council who was guest speaker, spoke on "Menstrual Hygiene," emphasizing the importance of personal and environmental hygiene. She also warned against negative tendencies that could lead to unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, while Racheal Azi discussed "Child Abuse," urging women leaders to keep a close watch on their children to prevent child labor, molestation, abduction, and trafficking.

Goodwill Message came from Mrs. Ruth, President of the National Council for Women Society (NCWS) Jos East Chapter who praised the First Lady and encouraged her to empower women to become self-reliant.

Also speaking, Mrs. Abus, PDP woman leader, urged the First Lady to support her husband in delivering his mandate and encouraged women to disseminate the message to other women in their wards.

The event climax with the First Lady, Comfort Nyam presenting wrappers, cash, and other valuable items to the women in attendance

E-Sign

Sabarka Bawul

Assistant Chief Information officer

Jos East Local Government Council.

BIRTHDAY FELICITATION!

I felicitate with the people vibrant and amiable governor Barr Caleb Menasseh Mutfwan on the occasion of his 60th birthday,once more on behalf of my family Lokwei Royal family,good loving people of Kabong Jos North in accordance with the Jos Joint Traditional Council wishing our governor happy birthday in abundant as we also count on your prospective leadership and sustainable peace on the Plateau once more a very big happy, happy,happy birthday wishing you more years of Methuselah as we all remains bless.

Signed:

Da Emmanuel Nyam Pam Pogo

The Gwom Rwei Kabong (Selected)

BIRTHDAY FELICITATION TO HIS EXCELLENCY BARR. CALEB MANASSEH MUTFWANG.

Happy birthday to a natural born leader,a quintessential Administrator and a hard worker.

On be half of myself ,my family and political Associates,I wish you many happy returns, longevity of life good health and happiness .

Congratulations sir!

Signed:

Zion Ayuba Chirtau

JOS EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL NEWS 12/03/2025

The Local administration in Jos East is to compliment the effort of the plateau State Scholarship Board in supporting Students pursue their educational career.

Executive Chairman of the Council, Chief Markus Nyam dropped the hint while playing host to the management from the Plateau State Scholarship board, Jos, recently in his Office at Angware.

Chief Nyam while appreciating Governor Mutfwang's time is now administration for changing the narrative of the board to meet the current Economic realities, said as a professional teacher, he will key into the  Governor's Philosophy of giving education sub-Sectort a boost.

He further said, education, being the bedrock of every society, should be supported by all relevant stakeholders to thrive.

Earlier on, leader of the delegation, -------------, appreciated the Executive chairman for a warm reception and said, they were in the Chairman's  Office as part of their tour of the 17 Local Government Councils in the State to intimate them of the challenges faced by the board and to solicit for their support.

The leader applauded Governor Mutfwang of  Plateau for the upward review of the Scholarship allowances to Students from 5,000.00 to 20,000.00 and called on the Chairman to key into the effort of the Governor by sponsoring more students from his locality in that regard.

FELICITATION FROM JOS EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL

"Happy 60th Birthday to a Quintessential Leader!

Wednesday, March 12, 2025, marks a milestone in the life of our amiable Governor, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, as he celebrates 60 years of God's faithfulness and grace.

On behalf of the good people of Jos East Local Government Area, I felicitate with you, Honourable Governor, on this remarkable achievement. Your proactive, dogged, and resilient leadership has transformed Plateau State into a thriving tourist hub, bringing enthusiasm and hope to our communities.

As you mark this significant birthday, our prayer is that God will endow you with more wisdom, vision, and sound health. May you continue to lead with excellence, inspiring positive change and progress for the Plateau people and beyond.

Congratulations, Honourable Governor!

Honourable Chief Markus Usaini Nyam

Executive Chairman, Jos East Local Government Council"

RE: LEGAL OPPOSITION TO PLATEAU STATE EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 001 OF 2025 ON MINING SUSPENSION

Your Excellency,

I respectfully write to express strong opposition to Executive Order No. 001 of 2025, which suspends all mining activities in Plateau State for security reasons. While I acknowledge the State Government’s concerns regarding illegal mining, insecurity, and community safety, this Order exceeds the constitutional and statutory powers of the State Government and is legally unenforceable.

1. Mining is Exclusively Regulated by the Federal Government

The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) clearly places mining under the Exclusive Legislative List (Second Schedule, Part I, Item 39). This means:

• Only the Federal Government has the legal authority to regulate, control, and enforce mining activities across Nigeria.

• Any attempt by a state government to regulate or suspend mining activities directly contradicts the Constitution and is therefore null and void (as per Section 1(3) of the Constitution, which invalidates any law or action inconsistent with federal law).

Additionally, the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 (NMMA) reinforces that:

• All mineral resources belong to the Federal Government (Section 1).

• Only the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and its agencies (such as the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office) have the power to grant or revoke mining licenses.

• State governments do not have legal authority to suspend mining operations as this is exclusively under federal jurisdiction.

Thus, Plateau State lacks the legal authority to unilaterally suspend mining operations, making Executive Order No. 001 of 2025 ultra vires (beyond the Governor’s powers).

2. Misinterpretation of Legal Provisions

The Executive Order cites Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution, Section 1 of the Land Use Act (2004), and Sections 116 and 117 of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 as its legal foundation. However, these provisions do not grant the Governor the authority to suspend mining operations:

• Section 5(2) of the Constitution only grants state executive powers within the limits of federal law. Since mining is a federal matter, the Governor’s directive is unconstitutional.

• The Land Use Act (Section 1) vests land administration in the Governor but does not grant control over mineral resources—which remain under federal jurisdiction.

• Sections 116 and 117 of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 only empower federal authorities to address mining-related security concerns, not state governments.

Therefore, the legal references in the Executive Order do not justify a state-wide suspension of mining activities.

3. Adverse Economic and Investment Consequences

The suspension of mining activities in Plateau State will have severe negative impacts on the economy, including:

• Job Losses: Thousands of workers, including local laborers and licensed miners, will be forced out of employment.

• Investor Uncertainty: Mining investors and companies may relocate to other states, leading to loss of revenue for both the federal and state governments.

• Illegal Mining Surge: A blanket suspension may drive more mining activities underground, increasing criminal operations rather than reducing them.

A more strategic approach—such as targeted security enforcement rather than an outright suspension—would be more effective in addressing insecurity.

4. Alternative Legal Approaches for the Plateau State Government

Rather than issuing an unconstitutional mining ban, the Plateau State Government should:

• Collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to implement a security and monitoring framework that does not violate federal laws.

• Leverage the Land Use Act to regulate land access while respecting federal mining regulations.

• Enhance Community Development Agreements (CDA) by working with host communities and licensed mining companies to ensure local benefits.

• Strengthen law enforcement in mining areas through legal channels such as requesting special security interventions from the Federal Government.

5. Conclusion: A Call to Rescind the Order

While security concerns in mining areas are valid, Executive Order No. 001 of 2025 is unconstitutional, legally indefensible, and economically damaging. I urge the Plateau State Government to rescind this order and adopt legally compliant, collaborative solutions with the Federal Government to address the security challenges in the state.

Respectfully submitted,

By: P.L Silent Observer