The Plateau State Government under the leadership of Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has inherited at total debt of N307 Billion from the immediate past administration of Governor Simon Bako Lalong.
This revelation came on Monday 10th July 2023 during the receipt of the report of the Committee on the Four-Year Strategic Development Blue for Plateau State, and that og the Plateau State Transition Committee all headed by Prof Lombin Ganyir. The reports were present to the Executive Governor of Plateau State at the Government House Little Rayfield, Jos.
Recall that during the campaigns, Governor Caleb Mutfwang had maintained that the debt profile he was going to inherit when he wins the March 18th, 2023 Gubernatorial Elections, a Plateau State financial burden of conservatively around N200 Billion. The story has now changed to N307 Billion.
This was contained in a statement by the Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere on Monday 10th July 2023. According to the State, Governor Mutfwang while receiving the report noted that “I want to assure you all that these reports will not gather dust on the shelves. We are going to make prudent use of them and study them appropriately. These reports will give rise to further investigation, will give rise to further studies that we need to embark upon and we will not waste time in doing so by the grace of God.”
While commenting on the shocking revelation, Governor Mutfwang expressed shock that the inherited at debt profile of the state was even higher that what was estimated before the committee completed it’s Job. In his own words, he said “You highlighted the debt burden. I knew that throughout the campaign, we were under the mistaken belief that our debt burden was around N200 billion and to hear that it is N307 billion is quite intimidating and worrisome”.
“But by the grace of God, the challenges we are confronted with are not insurmountable”. While touching on the security situation in the State, Governor Mutfwang noted that “Of particular concern is the issue of security which unfortunately has become to us, a major distraction. We are confident that by the grace of God, with some of the new security personnel on the ground, and with the Special Adviser on Security assuming responsibility, we will be able to see a difference, not too long from now.”
Governor Mutfwang maintained optimism that his determination to fulfill his constitutional mandate of protecting the lives and property of the people of Plateau State and said no stone would be left unturned in ensuring that the Plateau legacy as a Home of Peace and Tourism is restored within a short time.
Head of the two committees Prof. Ganyir Lombin while making his remark appreciated Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang for giving him and his committee members the opportunity to serve the state in that capacity but quickly noted that the committee was confronted with some very formidable operational challenges that did not allow them to make a joint presentation.
He expressed sadness that the immediate past administration of Rt Hon Simon Bako Lalong did not avail the Committee the opportunity of making inputs into the handover documents submitted to the joint committee before May 29, 2023.
Prof. Lombin said the handover notes presented to the Governor by the out-gone administration on 29 May 2023 were scanty and lacked necessary details as they did not follow the agreed template developed by the Joint Committee.
In his own words Prof Lombin said “The handover notes stated that the revenue which accrued to the Plateau State Government from May 2015 to May 2023 stood at N872 billion. The total expenditure was only given from May 2015 to December 2022 and not up to May 2023 at N810 billion.”
“Does this suggest that there was no expenditure from January 2023 to May 2023? Or was it deliberate misinformation? The government needs to look at this critically and where necessary, take approximate action.”
“There is no clear figure for the state’s Monthly wage Bill. However, this administration has inherited a backlog of four months of unpaid salaries to public servants amounting to over N11 billion. Outstanding gratuity and Pension arrears of N24 billion was also inherited.”
“The Legacy Projects are marred in controversies and unresolved legal cases which have stalled their implementation. Currently, the sum of N12 billion for this project is still in the custody of the Trustees of the funds.
“There are 3, 692 items of Government Assets and Properties including cars, houses that were sold and auctioned at a ridiculous price both within and outside the state. This needs to be further investigated and where necessary, appropriate action be taken.”
Prof. Lombin added that Governor Caleb Mutfwang inherited a near-bankrupt state, with weak institutions, low public morale, and a high level of insecurity but with high expectations from the citizenry.
He described the task ahead of Governor Mutfwang as enormous but not insurmountable and expressed joy in the manner in which the Governor is determined to succeed in the pursuit of the collective interest of the Plateau people.
Nigeria Star News 