Plateau state governor, Simon Lalong has a reason to thank God for the decision he took on assumption of office to fully involve everyone, including the Fulani herdsmen in finding solution to lingering clashes between farmers and herdsmen.
He said: “when I came I inherited a protracted crisis in the state and so my first priority was how to handle these crises and ensure we have peace in Plateau State.
“Within three months, we were able to achieve peace in Plateau State. Most of the lingering crises were between farmers and herdsmen but today in most parts of the state, you will see beautiful relationship between herdsmen and farmers.”
Governor Lalong, who answered reporters’ questions at the Presidential Villa, Abuja yesterday, Thursday, made it clear that the best way to achieve peace is for the leadership to embrace everybody as his own.
“I have said it a number of time that it is a matter of accommodating (various) interests; you take everybody as your own. In Plateau state, I did that.
He said that he just returned from a vacation and was in Aso Rock to brief President Muhammadu Buhari on the happenings in his state in the last one year.
He said that with the support from the President, the state has been enjoying relative Peace.
Governor Lalong said that the President was very happy with the peace in his state, adding: “of course, the president is always happy when he hears that number, one your state is peaceful and two, that you are paying salaries up to date.
“For me, salary is no longer an issue. Last December, I started paying gratuity. So I came to tell him that through his efforts; the bailout funds, I have cleared the salaries.
“Indeed, I inherited 11 months arrears and eight months of pensions, and today, I have cleared them. I am now into payment of arrears of gratuity and development projects.
“Let me not forget, part of the visit was to ask a shift of date in the president’s visit to the state from January to February and he has agreed and said he will come anytime I want him to come.”[myad]
