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Text of a Press Release by Rescue Monitoring Team
Gentlemen of the Press,
Our attention has been drawn to a story making the rounds in the media purportedly emanating from a press conference by a phantom group called COALITION OF PLATEAU CITIZENS OF CONSCIENCE FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY ON DEMOCRATIC MATTERS.
The so-called press conference and its hurriedly bundled content would have been totally ignored if not for the false and misleading assertions that could mislead right thinking and innocent persons who are unaware of those behind the hatchet political job. It is the voice of Jacob and hand of Esau.
For us, the so-called press conference did not come as a surprise because it is clearly a continuation of the desperate attempts to find fault, give the former Governor of Plateau State, Distinguished Senator Simon Bako Lalong a bad name in order to hang him.
Our assumption is that this is the handiwork of political opponents and haters who have not hidden their disdain, dislike and unwarranted attacks on the former Governor who is undoubtedly the most decorated politician in Plateau State by the grace of God.
We don’t want to imagine that the incumbent Government of Plateau State under Governor Caleb Mutfwang has a hand in this dance of shame and poorly acted script of witch hunting the former Governor who is always accessible, available and willing to answer any questions regarding his tenure. In addition, he bequeathed complete hand over notes which have since been scrutinised by various high powered committees set up by the current government.
For the records, we do not have have any problem with the former Governor being called to give account of his stewardship, nor do we support any act of corruption by whomsoever.
However, we are totally against the sponsorship of a smear campaign and political gimmicks aimed at tarnishing the hard earned reputation of someone who has served and is still serving Plateau State and Nigeria with zeal, patriotism, dignity and honesty.
Without glorifying the ignorance of the sponsored hirelings who addressed a so-called press conference, the content of which they do not understand just for stomach infrastructure, we shall provide some proper perspectives to their allegations.
1. 50 billion Legacy Projects: These are projects that were well conceived and spread across the 17 local Governments of the State consisting of world class hospitals and schools. While some were completed and put into use, others were at various levels of completion before Governor Lalong left office. Indeed, the legal challenge that delayed the projects was resolved and about 20 billion naira which a special funding from the capital market was handed over to administration of Governor Mutfwang for the competition of the projects. We challenge the accusers of Lalong to go and verify.
2. Missing 400 tractors: This is a song that has been very sweet for all haters of Governor Lalong. But surprisingly, majority have no information on what the tractorisation programme was all about. For the records, it was a PPP arrangement where the investor promised to bring 400 tractors but failed. The tractors were not acquired by Government but by farmers through their associations with Government providing guarantee. At the end, not up to 100 tractors were accessed. The records are there. Go and verify please.
3. Missing 17 Billion naira Paye from 2015-2023: This is a baseless allegation that does not make sense to anyone who knows the workings of government. In any case all monies accruing to the State or deducted under the administration of Lalong followed due process. Lalong established the EFFICIENCY UNIT, LIQUIDITY COMMITTEE, TSA and other checkpoints which entrenched prudence, accountability and transparency. Under his government, Plateau was certified as the 2nd Least Corrupt State in Nigeria by the NBS. It got the best award for transparency in Africa by Open Government Partnership in South Korea. We challenge the ignorant group to go and verify.
4. Billions of naira for British American Flyover: From inception the British American Flyover was tied to the State’s IGR as part of the funding arrangement with the bank. This was why the project was completed on schedule and commissioned by former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon. The people of Plateau State remain grateful to the former Governor for leaving behind a legacy that has solved half a century traffic gridlock. If there’s any evidence of fraud, we advise the ignorant group to hand it over to relevant law enforcement agencies and stop blowing hot air with a charade of press conference and sponsored protest.
5. 2 Billion naira deducted for LGA elections in 2021: If there were funds so deducted for the elections which took place and winners emerged, the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission is there to provide answers as to how such funds were utilised. Luckily, the PLASIEC is under the control of the current state government and they can unearth any detail they so desire.
6. Billions of naira borrowed for solar street lighting: We are shocked that this group is disturbed that Jos and Bukuru have been lighted for over 8 years today courtesy of visionary Governor Lalong. We are at loss as to what the hue and cry is all about and where the said money was borrowed from. How much was it? Because they have no facts, they had to conjure lies. Instead of this group urging the Mutfwang administration to continue with the street lighting, they have chosen to be mediocre and petty. Time shall tell.
7. Alleged 1 Billion missing for Zaria road Stadium: Again, this is baseless and does not deserve being dignified with a response. We hope the amorphous group handed their facts to EFCC during their jamboree to Abuja.
8. Alleged 2 billion naira for demolition of Jos Main market: This is yet another lie that then opposition PDP used and its agents and still using it even while in power. While we challenge them to submit their facts to law enforcement agencies, we hope they are also keeping track of what the Mutfwang administration is spending on the same market today and the road patchings, paintings going on. At the right time, we shall provide facts available to us on what is being spent and also demand accountability.
We are happy that the amorphous group claims to be extending its scrutiny to tertiary institutions and Local Government administrations under Governor Lalong. As for local Government administrations illegally suspended by Governor Mutfwang, the matter is still in court and we await the verdict of the court.
Those who should be jittery are the illegal imposters parading themselves as Caretaker or Transition Committee Chairmen which is not only alien to the 1999 Constitution, but also expressly declared a nullity by the Supreme Court. A day of reckoning is coming and we hope this group will come out to condemn those dipping their hands in public funds illegally.
We are very confident that former Governor of Plateau State and distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong has nothing to hide and will never run from accountability of his tenure.
What gladdens our hearts is that the EFCC is not a political party or a rubber stamp of any Governor who can use it at his whims and caprices. It is an organisation with professionals who have been trained to do their job without interference. Holding press conferences or protests will neither make them crucify or aquit anybody. Only facts will help them do their job without fear or favour and to take any alleged infraction to the courts for determination.
Finally, may we remind this group and their sponsors that we are also interested in good governance, accountability and the progress of Plateau State. Therefore, we have since commenced gathering our evidence of the utilisation of huge public funds accruing to the State under the current administration for posterity.
For the records, everyone in Nigeria and globally is aware of the increased FAAC allocations and other payments to the States after the withdrawal of subsidy. By the records from the Federal Ministry of Finance, Plateau State has so far recieved about 120 billion naira within one year. For the 8 years of Governor Lalong, the state did not receive such amount. Are these accusers of Lalong aware of this? What has been done with the humongous monies? We hope when the time comes for accountability, those who are singing the song and beating the drums of transparency will not stop.
Comrade Iliya Mark, JP
Chairman
Comrade Jok Ayuba Tumba
Secretary
FOR: RESCUE MONITORING TEAM
10th May 2024.