From neglect to renewal: Plateau govt revives Panyam Fish Farm, other projects

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Once a shadow of its former self, the Panyam Fish Farm in Plateau State has been transformed from an abandoned site into a thriving agricultural hub under the leadership of Governor Caleb Mutfwang.

Spanning 301 hectares, the facility now boasts 11 functional ponds teeming with fingerlings, improved access roads, and restored water sources from Kerang to sustain pond levels during the dry season.

The fish farm, long neglected, is now positioned to reclaim its place as a key player in Plateau’s agricultural sector.

The Panyam Fish Farm is one of 17 projects revived by the Plateau State Government, part of a wider effort to tackle the 49 abandoned projects inherited by the current administration.

This milestone was highlighted during an inspection tour on Wednesday led by Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joyce Ramnap, alongside the Commissioner for Works, Ubandoma Laven, and other government officials.

The tour showcased progress at critical sites, including the Pankshin-Lankan road and bridge, Kagu road, Tilengdiyes road, Mangu, Bwoi, Mushu roads, and the Yelwa Water Treatment Plant, among others.

Commissioner Ramnap explained that projects were selected based on their direct impact on citizens, reaffirming the government’s dedication to infrastructure development and service delivery.

“Of the 49 projects we inherited, we have successfully revived 17, many of which are nearing completion or ready for commissioning,” she said.

Laven provided further details, noting that the 17 revived road projects alone span a combined 340.74 kilometers across all three senatorial zones. Key routes include the Demshin Road, Jibam–Dokan Tofa, and Gungji–Shiwer roads, as well as projects in Miango, Farin Lamba, and Garkawa–Shendam.

He assured residents that the government is determined to tackle the backlog of over 3,000 kilometers of abandoned roads across the state, despite challenges like inflation and the need for cost adjustments.

At the Yelwa Water Treatment Plant, which lay dormant for over 15 years, rehabilitation efforts are already yielding results. In partnership with the World Bank, the project will soon supply water from natural ponds to Bukuru town, easing pressure on the Yakubu Gowon Dam.

Engr. Apollos Samchi, Managing Director of Jos Water Service Corporation, explained that the plant is designed to serve about 40,000 people, with pipeline extensions already reaching communities like Gyel in Jos South Local Government Area.

The revival of the Panyam Fish Farm has also been lauded by Mr. Kefas Yenle, who manages the facility. He praised the administration for its intervention, warning that without such action, the farm might have been lost entirely.

The Plateau State Government has assured the public that additional abandoned projects will be addressed in phases, reflecting its broader commitment to sustainable development and improved living conditions for citizens across the state.