Gov. Jonah Jang of Plateau said on Wednesday in Jos that the implementation of the Greater Jos Master Plan was not meant to oppress any particular group.
Jang, who stated this at the stakeholders retreat for the implementation of the Greater Jos Master Plan holding at the HBC Resort, said the plan was meant to develop Jos into a modern city.
According to him, the 20-year plan which will expire in 2032, will ensure physical growth and development in a sustainable manner with minimum or no disruption of the natural environment.
Jang said the plan would make for a safer community, healthier environment, facilitates smoother and easier movement of vehicles and people as well as give people access to infrastructure.
“I wish to assure all our citizens that the master plan is not an instrument of oppression or an attempt to take over people’s property without adequate compensation.
“The interests of indigenes of the districts or villages that fall within the plan will be protected within the law to be established. Everything will be done to ensure their traditional institutions structures are fully protected.”
According to Jang, the plan, when fully implemented, will lead to a harmonious and balanced growth of Jos city which every citizen will be proud of.
The governor said that social, economic and infrastructural development had to be rapidly undertaken to cater for more people hence, the need to address the distortions of the expired plan.
Jang, therefore, solicited the support of traditional, religious and community leaders as well as inhabitants of the areas within the plan to ensure its full implementation.
Earlier, Mr Solomon Maren, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, said the government was constructing 7,500 housing units in five sites to reduce uncontrolled development in the state capital.
Maren said that all the enabling laws needed to ensure the full implementation of the plan and its enforcement by subsequent administrations was being enacted by the appropriate authorities.
According to him, the implementation of the plan has already started with the removal of existing distortions and illegal structures in Jos by the task force on city renewal.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Deputy Governor, Speaker of the House of Assembly, members of the state executive council, legislators, traditional rulers and government functionaries attended the retreat.