Plateau State Executive Council has approved the creation of a Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to coordinate the state’s response to humanitarian emergencies, social protection and poverty reduction.

The approval was given at the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Gov. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang at the Government House, Rayfield, Jos.

Briefing journalists on the council’s resolutions, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs. Joyce Ramnap, said the new ministry would bring together the activities of the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Trauma Center to improve coordination and delivery of humanitarian interventions.

She said the arrangement would also strengthen collaboration between the state and Federal Government on humanitarian and poverty-reduction programmes, while ensuring faster and more effective assistance to vulnerable communities and individuals.

In a separate decision aimed at strengthening security in the state capital, the council approved the procurement and installation of 199 Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras  across the Jos-Bukuru Metropolis.

Ramnap said the CCTV cameras would be installed in two phases as part of measures to improve surveillance, public safety and security across the metropolis.

The council also approved additional solar-powered streetlights covering 4,029 streetlight infrastructure units in the Jos-Bukuru Metropolis, as well as the maintenance of existing streetlights to keep them functional.

It further approved the renovation of the administrative building at the Jos Main Market and the Satellite Market to improve their management, functionality and operations.

Ramnap said the decisions were aimed at strengthening humanitarian response, enhancing security and improving infrastructure across the state.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy-Governor, Secretary to the State Government and other members of the State Executive Council.