From Yakubu Busari, Jos
Following an interface between the Plateau State government and the leadership of bus transporters and their union, the former bus park at the burnt Jos modern markets as temporarily given to them has been revoked.
This is a stop gap measure until when government would embark on fresh allocation of place, according to the state government.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Philemon Audu Daffi who is also the Chairman Task force to evict illegal occupants of Jos University Teaching Hospital temporary site (OLDJUTH), said the evacuation of the properties of the squatters at the site begins immediately.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday held at the Plateau State Ministry of Justices Jos ,Yakubu Gowon Secretariat on Monday, Audui disclosed that government’s intention was to give the orthopedic hospital granted to the state government, a befitting environment and atmosphere to operate and give the people of the north central a sense of belonging.
“You will recall ,that the executive governor on 31st of July, 2023 inaugurated this committee for the
hospital to have a facility for a seamless take off .
“And in doing that, since the Jos University Teaching Hospital developed it’s permanent site, the property was handed back to the state” ,he said .
According to him, the committee which has weeks to complete it’s assignment has been given the following terms of reference,which amongst others include:
I. To determine the legal occupants of the facility,if any;
ii. To identify all the illegal occupants of the facility;
iii. To evict all illegal occupants forthwith; decongesting the surrounding of all illegal structures/ occupants to ensure smooth flow of traffic within the area.
He said, “being a listening and compassionate government,we have deemed it necessary to let the populace know of the government’s intentions and the need to cooperate to make our goal of having a conducive environment to the hospital.”
Philemon stressed that ,”in the course of the assignment, we have met and interfaced with all the major stakeholders, and given all
the squatters /illegal occupants of the hospital and it’s environs a undeserved one(1)week’s notice of our intention to takeover our facility and evict them”.
“Accordingly, the Chief Judge of the state has already constituted a mobile court to prosecute all defaulters on the spot.
“Similarly, all the security agencies have been mobilized to enforce compliance and established presence within the facility.
“As such, at the expiration of the one(1)week’s notice, which is tomorrow, Tuesday 15thAugust2023, we will commence enforcement of the notice.”
Philemon stated that this action will be taken without prejudice to any person, organization or group, but in the best interest of the people of the state and the north central geo-political zone country, as well as the multiplier effects that siting such institution will bring to usual.
“We cannot allow the pecuniary interest of a few to override or jeopardised of the majority general public.
“This is therefore a clarion call on the it is, particularly those within and around the sold premises to cooperate and to also sound a not warning that no stone shall be left unturned the purpose of this taskforce, he said.
He pointed out that “it may interest you to note that in the committee’s duty, they found operators of buses and tricycles(keke Napep) using the frontage of the hospital as their parks,”
Philemon called on all and sundry to cooperate with the committee
to enable it to deliver on this mandate.
