Plateau government pledges partnership with corporate organisations to boost sports, tourism

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau has pledged the state government’s readiness to partner with corporate organisations to boost its sports and tourism sectors.

Lalong said this on Sunday in Jos at the closing ceremony of the maiden golf tournament of the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC).

The governor said the two sectors had the potential to engage many youths and generate income for both the individual and the state.

He however pointed out that government alone would find it difficult to effectively develop sports and tourism.

“JEDC has set the pace for other companies to follow. We cannot continue to patronise companies without them (the companies) giving back to the society.

“I think the company studied my psychology and started with golf because they know that with golf I will be available.

“I urge them to go into areas like education and others and I want other companies to emulate them,” Lalong urged.

The governor who was one of the players in the tournament expressed satisfaction with the calibre of golfers who turned out to participate.

He said the state government would continue to provide the enabling environment for companies to invest in the state.

Lalong promised to make Rayfield Golf Course the centre of attraction for all golfers in the country and called on companies and individuals to assist him to make the course green.

Jirbo Verr, JEDC Executive Director Marketing, said the two-day tournament was one of the ways the company gives back to the society.

Verr said the company, apart from distributing electricity, also tries to boost socio-economic activities in their area of operations.

“We do more of these socio-economic activities which will have direct impact on the lives of the customers and the public in general.”

The executive director said the company would continue to do its best to ensure that customers enjoy the services of the company.

He, however, said the issue of poor power supply was a national problem which was beyond the powers of the company.

Verr said golfers who participated in the tournament were from the four states of the company’s coverage, such as Plateau, Benue, Bauchi and Gombe states.

Danjuma Auta, Captain of Rayfield Golf Course 1913, appreciated JEDC for staging the tournament at the oldest golf course in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Raphael Rwang emerged overall winner, after scoring 142 gross over 36 holes for a level par finish.

NAN also reports that the winner went home with a 42-inch plasma television, a trophy and prepaid meter.