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By Correspondent in Abuja.
The Plateau State Association, USA (PSA-USA), has urged Governor Caleb Mutfwang to sustain policy consistency and strengthen the enabling environment for investment to attract diaspora and foreign capital into the state.
The call was made by the National President of the association, Dr. Barth Shepkong, who led members of the National Executive Committee (EXCO) and other officials of PSA-USA to a strategic engagement with the governor in Washington, D.C., United States.
A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting was made available to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja.
The association highlighted the significant contributions and untapped potential of the Plateau diaspora beyond remittances.
It noted that diaspora engagement spans human capital development, professional expertise, global networks, and investment capacity in key sectors such as healthcare, education, finance, technology, entrepreneurship, and peacebuilding.
According to PSA-USA, unlocking this vast potential depends largely on confidence in governance, policy consistency, and the strength of the state’s enabling environment.
The group stressed the need to build strong investor confidence, particularly through contract integrity and effective dispute-resolution mechanisms.
“PSA-USA shared insights from diaspora investors, noting that reliability and consistency in honouring agreements remain key drivers of sustained investment interest,” the communiqué stated.
The delegation commended Governor Mutfwang for his steadiness, openness, and inclusive leadership in steering Plateau State through a challenging period.
It also acknowledged the governor’s consistent willingness to engage the Plateau diaspora in dialogue—an approach the association described as “encouraging and worthy of commendation.”
Members noted that such openness has strengthened trust and reaffirmed the role of the diaspora as critical stakeholders in the state’s development journey.
According to the association, sustained and consultative engagement sends a strong signal of inclusion and shared responsibility, while laying a solid foundation for meaningful collaboration between government and the diaspora community.
PSA-USA emphasised that Plateau State is at a critical juncture where diaspora engagement must evolve from goodwill to structured, transparent, and institutional collaboration.
The group stressed that clarity of process, continuity of engagement, and mutual accountability are essential to translating diaspora goodwill into long-term development outcomes.
The association also briefed the governor on its recent engagements with the United States Congress and other international stakeholders on developments in Plateau State.
It clarified that the engagements were undertaken responsibly and in support of peacebuilding efforts, aimed at ensuring accurate representation of Plateau State’s realities within international policy circles.
PSA-USA reiterated its support for the establishment of a Plateau State Diaspora Commission, recalling that the proposal received wide endorsement during its 20th Anniversary celebration, which was attended by the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly.
The group expressed confidence that such a framework would further institutionalise diaspora engagement and improve coordination.
The delegation also briefed the governor on the R64 Diaspora Campaign Fund, a non-partisan initiative aligned with Plateau State’s 64 wards, designed to support grassroots development efforts in complement to government programmes.
PSA-USA reaffirmed its commitment to sustained partnership with the Plateau State Government.
It noted that Governor Mutfwang’s open, consultative, and inclusive approach provides a solid foundation for collaboration, shared responsibility, and long-term development.
Responding, Governor Mutfwang expressed appreciation for the constructive role PSA-USA continues to play in advancing the development of Plateau State.
He acknowledged the association’s advocacy, development initiatives, and commitment to peace, describing the Plateau diaspora as a vital partner in the state’s progress.
The governor outlined his administration’s efforts to stabilise the state, strengthen institutions, and create an enabling environment for development and investment.
He reaffirmed his readiness to work closely with the diaspora, stressing that inclusive engagement remains central to his vision for a peaceful, united, and prosperous Plateau State.
Governor Mutfwang also appealed to Plateau indigenes at home and abroad to eschew tribal, ethnic, and regional sentiments, noting that unity and mutual understanding are indispensable to lasting peace and sustainable development.
Addressing recent political developments, the governor explained that his decision to move from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was not driven by partisan considerations.
He said it was a strategic decision taken in the broader interest of Plateau State and its long-term stability.
The governor called on all Plateau indigenes to work collectively towards building a peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous state that all citizens can be proud of.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
