Plateau Cooperative Society Decries Of Absence Of  Laws,  Crippled  Remittances, And Insecurity

Yakubu Busari

At least no fewer than 40 cooperative societies participated in the 2023 stakeholders’ Annual general meeting from local governments, State, Federal Agencies staff of the multipurpose cooperative societies, Private and Community Cooperatives base.

The PLASCOFED President/ National Treasurer, Mrs. Hannatu Paul Mershak, Made the statement in Jos, during the 2023 International cooperative day celebration with a bane of Cooperative Societies in Plateau state.

Hannatu Mershak disclosed that they are facing numerous Challenges that are hindrances to multiple hindrances and effective cooperative society activities in Plateau state and Nigeria.

However, the Day is set aside by the United Nations and Celebrated every first Saturday of July to the observed positive impact of cooperative society, this year’s theme “, Cooperatives for Sustainable Development”.

The President decried obsolete acts/ absence of state laws as one of the major delays in the remittances of some primary Cooperative deductions by some employers.

According to her, Insecurity among others, had posed a very serious threat and challenges to the cooperating movements in Plateau state.

She said despite the challenges, Cooperative societies in the state have remained resolute in expanding their participation in economic activities.

Cooperatives have been consciously involved in the growth and development of the Economy in the state by providing loans, to their members at affordable interest rates to develop and expand their businesses.

“The Cooperative societies, according to the President, have established various businesses in the area of Housing, water factories, commodity shops, printing press, Agriculture, and many more”, she explains.

The President, of the Cooperative Federation of Nigeria Tajudeen Oriyomi  Ayeola said he came to Jos in the last three days and he is enjoying the hospitality of the Government and People of Plateau state.

I have had the opportunity to go out in many states in Nigeria, the kind of reception we received from the Governor of Plateau state, we have never received it anywhere in this country.

The President said that the Governor promised to overhaul the cooperative system in Plateau state.

The Governor was invested as the patron of Cooperative movements in Nigeria.

He said that the theme is in line with the crucial role of cooperation in sustainable development in Nigeria.

Cooperative societies are playing a major role in poverty reduction and job creation.

No wonder, the Cooperative society aligned itself with the targets of Sustainable development goals on poverty reduction, food security, and Gender disparity among others.

And with the removal of fuel subsidies in the country, the best platform government needs to partner with and boost the Economy of Nigeria is Cooperative societies.

According to him, cooperative societies have contributed significantly to different sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, Financial sector, and cooperative is an indispensable partner for sustainable development in the country with the increase in the population, by 2050, Nigeria will be the third most populous country in the world, hence, the cooperative is the antidote to sustain the economy.

In his keynote address, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Fedelis Daboer Congratulated the Cooperatives for the day and said cooperatives are the have been viable platforms that government use to distribute social services to the various communities and there is a need for more sensitization in the state, for to people to establish more Cooperative societies.

His ministry will continue to support all cooperative activities through her policies and programs.

The Governor of Plateau state, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, through His Deputy, Rs Josephine Piyo said right from the inception of human society, Cooperative has been in existence, and with the advancement in the society, people also have societal needs, hence, the formation of Cooperative societies to benefit her members and improve their living conditions to make society a better place.

To complement the effort of the Cooperative societies, the governor said they will ensure that salaries are paid promptly and the government is doing everything humanly possible to pay the arrears of salaries.

Highlights of the event were the exhibition of various items produced by the various cooperative societies.

The guests were also thrilled with a match passed by  An Award for selfless service to the nation was presented to the President.