Jos- Plateau has more than 1,000 mining ponds scattered through the state’s landscape, Sen. Gyang Pwajok, the PDP Governorship candidate in the state said.
He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos on Sunday that “we have taken a census of the mining ponds and found more than 1,000 of them mostly in Plateau North and some parts of Plateau central.’’
Pwajok, however, said most of the ponds have turned to gullies and had eaten up many acres of land, while many houses had collapsed.
The PDP candidate, who represents Plateau North in the senate, said steps were being taken to explore the ponds to some advantage rather than allow them to continue to constitute massive disadvantage.
The lawmaker said “already, we are taking steps to convert the ponds into irrigation sites for dry season farming.
“We are also looking into the possibility of fish farming in the ponds and have contacted some organisations to explore that potential.’’
Pwajok promised to pursue the people’s call for reclamation to ensure adequate compensation for victims of tin mining, pointing out that Plateau had not gained much from the loss of its lands, economic trees and other colossal damages from mining.
“We shall open up the quest for reparations. When I was Director General of Research in the Plateau Government House, we compiled the claims and they ran into trillions of naira.
“Pursuing this quest will require the involvement of international bodies and I promise to make that a priority if elected Plateau Governor,” he said.
Pwajok expressed regrets that many farmers and households had continued to suffer the effects of the mining activities and declared that it was unfair to leave them alone to their fate.
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“As a government, we must be seen to be responsible; we must be seen as caring for the citizenry, especially where they feel shortchanged by any situation,” he said.
Pwajok also promised to give special attention to tourism and declared that the hospitality sector was one area with a potential to improve the state’s revenue base.
“We shall initiate a tourism fund that involve foreign and local investors. We shall also initiate and improve legislation that will shore up the fortune of the hospitality industry,” he said.
He decried the neglect of the many tourism sites on the Plateau and promised to open them up to maximise their potential.
Pwajok also promised to establish more museums and monuments that would make Plateau the destination of all tourists, while cultural festivals would be given more attention to attract more foreign and local investors.
The PDP candidate called for more support for his candidature and promised to make Plateau a model if elected. (NAN)
