Paris Club Funds: PLSG clears air

The Government of Plateau state under Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong has declared that its financial books are open for scrutiny and investigation by anti graft agency over alleged mismanagement of Paris Club loan refund by 35 state governors saying it has no skeletons in its cupboard over the fund received by the state.

It would be recalled that a human rights advocacy group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, has urged the Attorney General of the Federation to initiate legal proceedings against 35 state governors, who allegedly diverted or mismanaged the N388.3bn London Paris Club loan refunds.

Apparently reacting to the inclusion of Plateau State among states that mismanaged the fund, the State Governor, Barrister Simon Lalong who spoke through his aide, Special Adviser on Media, Hon. Dan Manjang told journalists that the money was judiciously utilized contrary to the insinuation in some quarters.

According to him, the state government received $74,756,013.98 (Being 50% of State and LGAs) with its Naira equivalent of N10, 497,000,000.00. The State got N6, 304,498,200.00 and LGAs N4, 192,501,800.00 representing 60.06% and 39.94 %, respectively.

He said the money was used for arrears of 3 months civil servants salaries, arrears of 7 months pensions adding that there was a shortfall of N1.4 billion which the state government had to borrow to complement.

“It is mischievous to include Plateau State among states that mismanaged the fund. What we used the money for had further helped to stabilize the state, the civil servants are happy. The benefits go to the entire state.

“Because of the action of the governor, especially on the judiciously use of the money, Governor Lalong was recently nominated as the chairman of Good Governance of Progressive Forum. You can’t earn the leadership of the group if you don’t lead well” he said.

The Special Adviser on Media said because of the magnanimity of the governor some of his colleagues are not happy with him adding that for the first time in a very long time the state is not owing and at the same time paid January 2017 salary on 25th of the same month.

He further disclosed that the government has commenced compilation of gratuity arrears adding that this would be paid as soon as fund is available.

Plateau Government has flagged off rehabilitation work on the 6.9 Kilometers Kobong-Tudun –Wada road

The Plateau Government has flagged off rehabilitation work on the 6.9 Kilometers Kobong-Tudun –Wada road in Jos North Local Government Area.

This project which is among 8 other projects is expected to span for 12 months.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony on Friday, the Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Nazif warned members of the public against distractions that could affect the completion time of the job, and declared that government would not pay any compensation to any claimant.

The commissioner emphasized on the need for the people of Plateau State to continue living in peace as that is the only way the state can develop.

“Plateau has parted ways with crises; it is time to provide infrastructure toward a better life,” he said.

In his remarks, Samuel Galadima, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, gave the scope of work to include scarification, earthworks, blasting of rocks, construction of bridges and asphalting.

Also speaking, Chinedu Okonwa, an official of Jolex Construction Company Ltd, handlers of the job, assured the government that the contract would be completed on schedule.

Peter Nyam, the District Head of Tudun-Wada, in his remarks, commended the state government for embarking on the project which, he said, would reduce the sufferings of the people.