By CHRISTIANA LOT , Jos –
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has signed Executive Order No. 003, 2024 in an effort to tackle the issues of unregulated urban development and chaotic traffic within the state.
The announcement was made by Arc. Hart Bankat, General Manager of the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB), during a press conference on Tuesday.
Bankat highlighted the importance of controlling construction activities and managing traffic flow to improve safety and the quality of life for residents.
He stated, “The increasing population in Plateau State has led to traffic congestion and unsafe building practices. Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s Executive Order No. 003, 2024 aims to address these challenges and promote sustainable development.”
The objectives of the executive order include regulating building construction and traffic flow in Plateau State.
Bankat explained that all new building projects must obtain permits and adhere to building codes. Unauthorized constructions will face legal action, including demolition.
Additionally, measures such as designated parking areas and traffic lights will be implemented to streamline traffic, with penalties for violators.
Residents were urged to cooperate with the authorities and adhere to the provisions of Executive Order No. 003, 2024.
Further details of the order were provided by Bankat, alongside state Commissioner for Information, Hon.Musa Ashoms and other officials.
Regarding penalties, Bankat mentioned, “Owners of demolished buildings shall bear the cost of such demolitions, while owners of buildings without approvals within the Greater Jos Master Plan who fail to regularize them within the given time shall be liable to a fine not less than ₦1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira only) for failure to obtain approval within the stipulated period.”
He further highlighted fines for pasting posters on public infrastructure and indiscriminate parking of vehicles within the metropolis, with penalties amounting to ₦500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira only).
Bankat also mentioned restrictions on heavy-duty vehicles entering the Central Business Area from 6 am to 9 pm, with fines for defaulters, and the prohibition of stray animals within the metropolis, with a fine of ₦250,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only) for owners of such animals.
The effective date of the Executive Order is set to begin on 10th June, addressing building controls, and March 19th, 2024, for traffic regulations, each with a 90-day lifespan.
Pension fund hits N19.53trn, gains N1.17trn in January
The pension fund assets has appreciated by N1.17 trillion to N19.53 trillion as at Jan. 31, as against N18.36 trillion recorded in Dec. 31, 2023.
This is contained in the National Pension Commission’s (PenCom’s) unaudited report on the Pension Funds Industry Portfolio for the period ended Jan. 31.
PenCom said that N12.14 trillion of the fund was invested in the Federal Government’s securities.
On the breakdown, the commission said that N11.59 trillion was invested in bond, while treasury bills gulped N221.81 billion.
Others, it added, were agency bonds at N14.86 billion, N124.89 billion worth of Sukuk bonds and green bonds at N181.57 billion.
The pension regulator stated that N270 billion was invested in state government securities and N1.71 trillion in money market instruments.
PenCom further said that the fund assets in United States Dollars value was N14.39 billion at an exchange rate of N1,356 per a dollar.
According to the commission, Retirement Savings Account (RSA) subscribers as at the period under review stood at 10.22 million.(NAN)
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