29th May, 2017
Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau said on Monday that the state government generated N52.1 billion as revenue in the last two years.
Lalong made the disclosure in Jos at a town hall meeting to mark his administration’s second anniversary and Democracy Day.
The governor said that the disclosure became imperative as part his of administration’s policy thrust, which is transparency and accountability as funding was key to the execution of government’s programmes.
“This amount is made up of N16. 86 billion as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and N35.211 as Net Statutory Allocation.
“This amount has been appropriately and consistently applied in the personal cost, overheads and capital projects,” he said.
He said that the first reward of the Rescue Administration’s (his administration appellation) efforts was the first and second tranches of the salary bailout.
Lalong stated that he inherited salaries arrears of N9.8 billion and pension arrears of N10.1 billion.
“The first tranche was N5.32 billion and the second tranche of N5.23 which were used to offset the outstanding salaries for State and Local Governments.
“The State Government received the Paris and London Club Refunds of N10.4 billion and the amount was shared between the State and the 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
“It was shared as follows: N6.3 billion which constituted 60.1 per cent to the state and N4.1 billion which constituted 39.9 per cent to the local governments.
“The State Government used 50 per cent of its own share for payment of salaries and pension arrears, while I graciously approved an overdraft of N3.4 billion, to augment the shortfall.
“This enabled the state pay three months salaries to December, 2016 and Seven months Pension arrears,” he explained.
The governor recalled that on assumption of office, they inherited a huge N222 billion of verified and unverified claims.
According to him, faced with the financial position of the state, and with the dwindling revenue accruing from the federation account, it required accountability and fiscal discipline to bear the brunt of past mismanagement and hence the report.
Lalong stated that as a responsible government, he would remain transparent and accountable; pointing out that the state had been adjudged as one of the states that the bailout funds were judiciously used and for the purpose intended.
Admiral Samuel Atukum (Rtd) former Military Administrator of Plateau, who spoke on behalf of former governors of the state, commended the governors for peace being enjoyed in the state.
Atukum advised those in opposition to understand that there was one interest for the state which is development.
The former administrator appealed to Plateau citizens to support whoever was in charge, particularly when he is producing results the way Lalong has done.
He urged the people to set aside their ethnic religious and political differences to support the government to develop the state for good of all.
Mr Jibrin Bancir, Plateau NLC commended Lalong for clearing workers salary and pension arrears and for paying salaries as and when due.
Bancir promised the workers to administration as long as continue to take workers welfare seriously.