Plateau group urges power supply boost for farming communities

By Deborah Coker

Abuja, Jan. 10, 2025

The Plateau Patriotic Front (PPF), a socio-political group, has urged the Plateau Government not to relent in its plan to boost power supply to farming communities in the state.

The National Coordinator of the Group, Mr. Mani Imman made the appeal in a statement in Abuja on Friday.

Imman said boosting power supply to farming communities, though overlooked by previous administrations, would help revolutionise farmers’ fortunes and appealed to Gov. Caleb Mutfwang not to follow the path of his predecessors.

He said following Mutfwang’s promises during the recent end of year interaction with the business community, it was imperative the governor did not disappoint the people of the state.

He also said PPF was particularly impressed with the governor’s recent moves to address the long standing worries of farmers and agriculture stakeholders in the state.

The PPF national coordinator said that the move would, in the long run, strengthen the agriculture value chain and boost farmers’ income and wellbeing.

“We note with appreciation the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state government and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), meant to boost power supply to our farmers in the hinterland.

“This particular agreement will help provide farmers and others, interested in agricultural processing, the electricity needed to power their processes.

“We are glad that this will boost the agriculture value chain and with it, address many of the concerns as were articulated by stakeholders during the recent interaction with the governor last year,” he said.

Imman, further said that with the realisation of the MoU, farmers who had in the past lost substantial proportion of their produce would see a reverse in the deterioration of their farm produce.

“We appreciate the efforts of the Mutfwang administration in addressing this particular concern of farmers and other agriculture stakeholders and enjoin the government to ensure that the ongoing plans are not derailed.

“Please do not disappoint us, ensure that this scheme is not derailed by government bureaucrats,” he said.

Imman also commended the Plateau Government, on its decision to provide land to the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), for a 132/33KV transmission substation to extend electricity to southern and central Plateau.

He said the move would be an encouragement to stakeholders interested in investing in the agriculture value chain.

“We see this as a positive move and advise investors to take advantage of the positive business environment as pushed by the state government,” he said.