By Lateef Ibrahim
The long-abandoned Panyam Fish Farm, once a symbol of neglect in Plateau State, has come back to life under the administration of Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
With 11 ponds now fully operational, fingerlings thriving, and access roads improved, the 301-hectare facility is regaining its potential as a key agricultural hub.
The fish farm’s revival is part of a broader push by the Plateau State Government to breathe new life into 17 out of 49 neglected projects across the state.
During an inspection tour on Wednesday led by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joyce Ramnap, the Commissioner for Works, Ubandoma Laven, and other officials, the State government showcased the impact of its ongoing infrastructure revival efforts.
The tour covered critical sites including the Lankan bridge, Kagu road, Tilengdiyes road, Mangu, Bwoi, Mushu roas, the Yelwa Water Treatment Plant, and other key projects.
Ramnap highlighted that the projects were carefully prioritized based on their direct benefits to citizens, and emphasized the State’s commitment to infrastructure development and service delivery.
“Out of 49 abandoned projects inherited by this administration, we’ve revived 17, many of which are near completion or ready for commissioning,” she stated.
Laven further explained that the 17 revived road projects alone cover a total of 340.74 kilometers, spread across all three senatorial zones and these include the Demshin Road, Jibam–Dokan Tofa, and Gungji–Shiwer roads, as well as projects in Miango, Farin Lamba, and Garkawa–Shendam.
He assured the public that the government remains determined to tackle the over 3,000 kilometers of roads that had been abandoned in the past eight to nine years, despite challenges such as inflation and the need for cost reviews.
At the Yelwa Water Treatment Plant, which had been dormant for over 15 years, efforts to restore operations are already yielding results.
The plant, now undergoing rehabilitation through a partnership with the World Bank, will supply water from interconnected natural ponds to Bukuru town, easing pressure on the Yakubu Gowon Dam.
Engr. Apollos Samchi, the Managing Director of the Jos Water Service Corporation, explained that the project targets about 40,000 people and has already extended pipelines to communities such as Gyel in the Jos South local government area.
The government’s intervention in the Panyam Fish Farm also includes the restoration of natural spring water sources from Kerang to sustain pond levels during the dry season.
Mr. Kefas Yenle, who oversees the farm, commended the administration’s efforts, warning that the facility would have completely collapsed if not for the current intervention.
The Plateau State Government has assured the public that additional projects will be revisited and completed in phases, as it continues its commitment to reviving abandoned projects and driving sustainable development across the state.
