The Plateau State Government has formally taken over the site of the Gyarta Gyere Stone Crushing Company in Jos, citing overriding public interest as part of the ongoing implementation of the Greater Jos Urban Master Plan aimed at creating a more organized, sustainable, and secure city.
The Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, made this declaration during an on-the-spot assessment visit to the site on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, following credible security reports of criminal activities and illegal land-grabbing within the area.
“When this quarry was established, it was located on the outskirts of Jos. Today, it lies at the heart of the city. Development has overtaken it, and in line with modern urban practices, such industrial activity is no longer suitable here due to its environmental impact,” Governor Mutfwang stated.
The Governor announced that the Plateau State Government has assumed full ownership and control of the land, warning that any unauthorized activity henceforth would attract arrest and prosecution.
“From this day forward, anyone found operating or transacting on this land without government approval will be arrested. The land now belongs to the government, and any activity here is entirely at one’s own risk,” he declared.
In a show of fairness and transparency, the Governor sympathized with individuals who may have been misled into purchasing land within the disputed area and assured that genuine interests would be protected.
“A verification desk will be set up at the Ministry of Lands and Survey starting tomorrow, November 5. Anyone who legitimately purchased land here should present their documents for verification so that genuine interests can be duly considered when the government decides the land’s future use,” he explained.
Governor Mutfwang also directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute land agents or speculators involved in illegal land sales within the acquired area, urging the public to report such activities. He stressed that the government’s actions are guided by law, order, and due process.
“The government’s intention is not to victimize anyone, but to ensure that things are done properly, lawfully, and in the best interest of the public,” he said.
Providing context, Evangelist Musah Paul-Gindiri, CEO of Gyarta Gyere Stone Crushing Company, lamented increasing land encroachment and security breaches in the area. He confirmed that the family of the late Evangelist Paul-Gindiri had accepted the government’s decision and pledged full cooperation.
In their remarks, the Commissioner for Lands and Survey and the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Rt. Hon. Joyce Ramnap, mni, assured full compliance with the Governor’s directive and urged citizens to adhere strictly to the new order.
The takeover of the Gyarta Gyere Stone Crushing Company site represents another decisive step by the Mutfwang administration toward restoring order, safeguarding the environment, and promoting planned urban development within the Greater Jos Metropolis.