By CHRISTIANA LOT, Jos–
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour, Employment, and Productivity, Senator Diket Plang, has launched a ₦1 billion empowerment initiative aimed at strengthening agriculture and business opportunities in Plateau Central.
Unveiled at a flag-off ceremony in Jos, the initiative provides essential equipment, financial support, and resources to improve economic activities, particularly benefiting farmers, youth, and women across the five local government areas of the senatorial zone.
Plang emphasized his deep connection with his constituents, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. “I understand the needs of my people because I live among them, interact with them, and know where it pinches the most. Even a small intervention in the right area can make a significant difference.
“Our region experiences a regular rainy season between May and August, but the long dry season poses challenges. With the abundance of land and natural water sources available, I saw an opportunity to support my people beyond the rainy period, ensuring they can farm all year round.
“This project is driven by the potential I see in my people. Our environment is suitable for horticulture and irrigation farming, yet financial constraints often limit productivity. To address this, I have provided agricultural equipment, including fertilizers and water pumps, to support dry-season farming and ensure food production continues throughout the year”. He stated.
As part of the distribution, over 300 water pump generators have been procured to assist irrigation farmers. Plang explained that many communities practice cooperative farming, meaning a single pump could serve a group of ten farmers or an entire farming cluster. He noted that the initiative is structured to encourage communal cooperation, helping farmers maximize production.
Beyond agriculture, the initiative extends support to small businesses and household enterprises. Over 100 Lister industrial grinding machines have been distributed to rural communities. Acknowledging the central role of agriculture in the region, Plang stressed the importance of empowering women with these machines to facilitate food processing.
According to him, these machines would not only ease food processing but also serve as a source of income, strengthen social bonds, and encourage communal interaction. Additionally, he provided barbershop equipment, including clippers, salon dryers, and other accessories, describing them as strategic tools to enhance livelihoods.
To improve financial transactions for small business owners, 200 Point of Sale (POS) machines have been distributed, alongside agro-products such as fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides to boost crop yields. As part of his outreach, he distributed 5,000 packages of rice, millet, and guinea corn across the five local government areas in honor of Ramadan, ensuring that Muslim communities benefited from the intervention.
Detailing the scale of investment, Plang disclosed that four trailers of fertilizer, each carrying 600 bags, had already been transported at a total cost of about ₦128 million.
“A single bag of fertilizer costs about ₦35,000, and with additional logistics, it rises to ₦40,000. Each trailer contains about 600 bags, bringing the total cost to approximately ₦32 million per trailer. With four trailers, that alone amounts to about ₦128 million.
“Additionally, each of the 300 water pumps costs around ₦180,000. When multiplied by 300, the total cost is substantial. The industrial grinding machines cost between ₦1.1 million and ₦1.65 million each. With over 100 of them, the figures add up quickly. When transportation and other logistics are factored in, the overall cost of this intervention exceeds ₦1 billion” he noted.
Plang assured that this initiative is only the beginning, with further projects in the pipeline. I have more programs lined up, including the provision of 10 motorized solar boreholes across the zone and financial empowerment for women through POS services. My approach is holistic—addressing agriculture, water supply, and financial inclusion for my people”.
He emphasized that the initiative transcends religious, ethnic, and political divides, noting that groups such as the Plateau Initiative for Development and Advancement of the Natives (PIDAN), Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Miyetti Allah, and various ethnic communities across Plateau Central are among the beneficiaries.
Dignitaries, including APC leaders and prominent figures such as Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Lokji Goar, Hon. Alice Dimlong, Prof. Padam Yamsat, Hon. Bulus Sulesman, and Hon. Shittu Bameyi, commended the senator’s efforts, describing his tenure as people-centered and lauding his commitment to meaningful development.
