The Chairman of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Dr Joshua Sunday Riti, has said Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s defection to the All Progressives Congress is already attracting increased federal attention and major projects to the state.
Riti spoke on Wednesday while receiving stakeholders from Kwall community at the council secretariat, describing Mutfwang’s December 2025 move from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC as strategic and beneficial to Plateau.
According to him, the state has secured approval for major road projects since the defection, including the Akwanga-Jos Road and the proposed 400-kilometre Mararaban Jama’a–Mangu–Kanke–Langtang–Shendam–River Ibi highway linking Plateau and Taraba states.
“We want to thank His Excellency, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, for taking the bold and strategic decision to join the APC. That decision is already yielding results for Plateau State,” Riti said.
He also cited the approval for the recruitment of 1,000 Plateau youths as forest guards, saying closer alignment with the Federal Government had improved the state’s access to projects and other opportunities.
“Before now, we were in opposition and it was difficult to get federal attention. But today, because we are now in the same party with the Federal Government, doors are opening,” he said.
Riti urged residents of Bassa and Plateau State to support Mutfwang and President Bola Tinubu, arguing that political decisions should ultimately translate into development.
His comments came as Mutfwang flagged off the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the 41-kilometre Bisichi–Fan–Mangu Halle Road.
The governor said the project, initially awarded in 2012 as a surface-dressed road, had been upgraded to full asphalt reconstruction to meet present traffic demands and improve durability.
Mutfwang said the road would reduce travel time, improve safety and strengthen access to markets, schools, healthcare facilities and other essential services.
He also confirmed presidential approval for the Mararaban Jama’a–Mangu–Kanke–Langtang–Shendam–Ibi Road, describing it as evidence of growing cooperation between the Plateau and Federal governments.
The governor said his administration would continue to pursue infrastructure and agricultural investments capable of expanding economic opportunities and improving livelihoods across the state.
