About Shendam

SHENDAM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA AT A GLANCE

1. Location: Created in 1976, Shendam – popularly referred to as the Home of Hospitality – is situated about 155km south of Jos, the headquarters of Plateau State. It covers a land mass of about 2,437 sq km and has a population of about 208,017 made up of 109,519 males and 97,498 females as recorded in the 2006 Population Census.

The Local Government Area shares common boundaries with Quan-pan LGA to the west, Mikang LGA to the south and Langtang South LGA to the east. It is a belt of low-lying land and is thickly covered with economic trees. It is traversed by many streams and rivers which can be utilised effectively for fishing, agriculture and transportation.

Shendam experiences relatively high temperatures during the day and low temperatures at night. The hot and humid weather condition, coupled with generally fertile soil, enhances the growth of cash crops such as yams, rice, millet, beans, cassava and others.

Apart from these crops, the Local Government Area is also blessed with abundant mineral resources such as salt, gypsum, clay, sand and hard rock, deposited around areas including Dertang Jayu, Duam, Japhshen Tengzet and Dungoeshing. These mineral resources abound in large quantities, waiting to be tapped by potential investors.

Tourist attraction centres found in the area include Npol Lake in Lakushi, Jelbang Rock, Nroam Lake, Shendam Dam, Gonvel, Goesa and Kaanjen ponds.

The area is inhabited by the Goemai whose predominant occupations are farming, fishing and rearing of livestock. Because of the peaceful and hospitable nature of the Goemai, other ethnic groups such as Mpun, Kwalla, Berom, Mushere, Hausa, Fulani, Igbo, Yoruba and many others also settle peacefully with them.

For administrative convenience, the area is divided into four districts, each headed by a district head. Shendam District is headed by Miskoom Leonard Shaiyen; Derteng District is headed by Miskoom Nijin Yunkwap; Dokan Tofa is headed by Miskoom James Laankwap; while Dorok District is headed by an acting head, Miskoom Prinkwap Maigari.

The entire Goemai nation is headed by a first-class chief, Miskoom Hubert Shaldas II (OON), who is also the Deputy Chairman, Plateau State Council of Chiefs.

The Local Government Area enjoys the network services of MTN, GLO and Zain, and has other social amenities such as good road networks and a modern post office. The area also enjoys the services of banks such as UBA and Agricultural and Co‑operative Banks, while Ocean Bank has already concluded arrangements to commence full-fledged banking activities.