Administrator of Plateau
State, retired General
Chris Alli, yesterday appraised the three-months state of emergency and awarded a pass mark on efforts to restore peace in the state.
In a radio and television broadcast to the people of the state yesterday, Alli said midway into the state of emergency, the chances for permanent peace in the state has brightened and that the old glory of Plateau State would soon be restored.
While expressing satisfaction with the state of affairs so far in Plateau State, General Alli pointed out that “by the grace of God, we are about to witness another land mark in the continued effort to charts a new course for the restoration of the glory of the new Plateau State.
General Alli admitted however that the three month journey has not been easy. “It has not been a smo-oth sail, but we have striven to lay a formidable people-driven foundation for confi-dence building and accommodation,” he said.
He said he was particularly encouraged by the general clamour for peace and the renewal of broken ties among the various peoples in the state on his arrival in the state, May 18, during which he articulated his mission and on June 18, to mark one month of the peace process. Yesterday’s broadcast was to mark the mid-way of the emergency rule when President Olusegun Obas-anjo would also be in the state to appraise the return of peace.
General Alli also gave reasons for the president’s visit tomorrow, pointing out that it was “an acknowledgement of the positive response shown by the people of the state towards the peace initiatives of the federal government and a demonstration of Mr. President’s faith in the unquestionable loyalty of the people to the success of his administration.”
The administrator identified two options left for Plateau State. According to him, either the people turned a new leaf in their “sour and fledging relationship,” based on the strength to forgive and embrace one another or despite the apprehension over Plateau State by the nation caused by the sad events of the past three years.
While in Plateau State, President Obasanjo will tour some parts of the southern senatorial zone of the state to assess the return of peace, lay the foundation stone of the Mangu regional water project and flag off the peace conference on Thursday.
In this regard, General Alli yesterday inaugurated the panel to preside over the peace conference with a lady as chairman and four other members. They are Ngo Elizabeth Pam, chairperson, with Musa Izom, Alhaji Alhassan Senibu, Sir Anthony Hoomsuk as members and Dr. Joseph Golwa, chairman of the study group that prepared the grounds for the peace conference, as secretary.
The panel, according to Alli, will direct, control and moderate the affairs of the conference which is expected to host no fewer than 150 delegates from the 54 ethnic nationalities as well as other interest groups throughout one month.
Alli emphasised the importance of the peace conference to lasting peace on the Plateau. “It is a serious business,” he said, emphasising that “the ultimate aim of the business of peace making hinges mainly on the outcome of the conference.
“The conference should not be perceived as a mere talk shop. It is neither a cosmetic design to divert attention. Rather, it is a blood vessel that will supply the heart of our communal spirit. Let us not do anything that will excise the vessel or truncate the laudable objectives which government seeks to achieve through the conference,” he further advised.
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