Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong has vowed to recover allegedly stolen funds and government properties annexed or carted away and that he would complete all critical projects initiated by his predecessor, Jonah Jang.

Lalong made this known on Sunday in Jos in a state broadcast to mark his 100 days in office as the governor of the state.

“Through the instrumentality of the law, we will immediately pursue the recovery of funds and government properties carted away.

“These include monies fraudulently siphoned through the instrumentality of state agencies for which works have not been done or have not reached the level of payments.”

The governor said that the setting up of technical and professional audit committees was to sustain the tracking and recovery of funds and their application to projects, programmes and institutions.

He said that the intention of government was not to witch-hunt, but to ensure that through probity, accountability and transparency, value for money was obtained in ongoing projects.

Lalong said that the challenges that stared the state in the face were enormous, but his administration was committed to alleviating the sufferings of the people of Plateau.

“The enormity of the challenges that we are confronted with have left us with only one option of making quick fixes that will address basic human needs of the citizenry.”

This, he said would also guarantee sustenance of a peaceful environment for good governance.

The governor said that his administration’s attention was focused on finding a long lasting solution to the conflicts in Riyom, Barkin Ladi and parts of Jos South that had continued unabated.

According to him, the violent conflicts have left the state with painful memories of horror and large numbers of internally displaced persons.

“Our approach to resolving this challenge is hinged on rekindling first, confidence in government sincerity to solving the problems and willingness of the communities for an end to crises.

“Our efforts in facilitating dialogue through the many consultations are yielding results beyond imagination.”

According to him, in spite of the numerous challenges on ground, the administration was able to make some modest achievements in its 100 days.

“We have paid workers salary arrears for five months as well as three months pension arrears and government will endeavour to clear the outstanding as the bail-out is received.

Lalong said that his administration has completed some projects initiated by his predecessor, Sen. Jonah Jang.

One of such projects is the House of Assembly's legislative chamber, and that work has resumed on the multi-billion naira Yakubu Gowon dual carriage way with a flyover bridge at the secretariat junction.

“We resumed road construction on 18 ongoing metropolitan roads and almost completed the Federal Low-Cost Housing road network.

“We purchased and distributed 650 trucks of fertilizer on assumption of office through a community based distribution which involves ward and districts heads to eliminate sharp practices associated with middlemen.”

The governor said that the projects were for the benefit of the people of Plateau and should not be discarded on the altar of political differences.

“Many projects we are executing now were initiated by the past administration; we will not abandon them because they are for the people of Plateau.

“The contractors working on Yakubu Gowon dual carriage way are back to site and by the grace God, by this week, we are going to mobilise them fully.”

“On the issue of security which is our number one priority, the state government, in collaboration with Operation Safe Haven, has gone very far.

“We have already put in a lot and we are not relenting.

“Let us be patient, we will do our best to protect the lives of the people of Plateau as that is the essence of government anywhere in the world.”

(NAN)

•Photo shows Gov. Lalong.

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