In a bold move that blends social reform with security strategy, Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has launched the construction of a 2,000-unit workers’ housing estate in Miango, Bassa Local Government Area one of the state’s most troubled flashpoints.
The development, described by officials as the largest of its kind in recent history, is expected to transform not only the state’s civil service but also the fortunes of a community scarred by years of conflict, displacement, and neglect.
Nestled just 15 minutes from Jos, Miango has long been synonymous with violence bandit attacks, farm invasions, kidnappings, and communal clashes. Its fertile lands have borne the weight of instability more than harvests.
By deliberately siting the new estate in Miango, the Mutfwang administration is signaling a shift in governance: development not only as a service to citizens but as a weapon against insecurity. The housing project is designed to anchor displaced families, stabilize population movement, and spur economic activity in a region desperate for renewal.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Governor Mutfwang framed the estate as a cornerstone of his broader reforms.
“This project is not just about providing houses it is about restoring hope, dignity, and stability,” he said. “It is designed to outlive our administration and bring long-term transformation not only for workers but for the entire Bassa community.”
Spanning 38 hectares, the project came after a full settlement of ₦346.5 million to the host community a rare step that defused long-standing land disputes. Mutfwang pointed to this as proof of his administration’s commitment to transparency and fairness.
Since taking office in May 2023, the governor has cleared salary arrears, raised pensions, approved a ₦70,000 minimum wage, and launched digital governance reforms. Housing, he said, is the next step in building “a motivated and respected workforce.”
The project is being executed by DSK Group International Limited under a phased plan: 500 homes within the first year, 750 in 18 months, and the final 750 by the 24th month.
DSK Chairman, David Sabo Kente, assured residents that the estate would be delivered on time and to standard. He emphasized that funding is tied to results, with contractors paid only upon completion of each phase.
“This is not another white paper exercise,” Kente said. “It’s a project backed by accountability and designed to deliver.”
Financed under the National Housing Programme with contributions from the Federal Mortgage Bank and the Pension Commission, the project is projected to create over 3,000 jobs for artisans, labourers, suppliers, and subcontractors—many of whom have been sidelined by the region’s instability.
For Plateau State, the Miango estate represents more than brick and mortar. It is a calculated investment in peacebuilding, workforce motivation, and economic revival.
If delivered as promised, the project could stand as a case study in how housing long treated as a welfare policy can be repositioned as a driver of stability and growth in fragile regions.
