Gov Lalong Gives Ex-Gov Jang Two Weeks To Return ‘Stolen Funds

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has given two weeks to all government officials in the administration of Ex-governor Jonah Jang accused by a 12-man transition committee of misappropriating public funds to return the monies or face the wrath of the law.

The governor gave the order on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 in Jos when he received the report of the transition committee.

“In line with the advice of President Muhammadu Buhari, who urged past government officials to return stolen public funds in their procession, I am giving two weeks to government officials in our state to return monies taken illegally, even before government begins the implementation of the recommendations of the committee,” Lalong said.

The governor also revealed that his administration got only two official cars from his predecessor.

The committee, led by Deputy Governor Sonni Tyoden, had while submitting its report, claimed that the Jang administration incurred a debt of N222.3 billion, and, in a lopsided way, concentrated major projects in a particularly section of the state.

“Records show that between May 2007 and May 2015, the sum of N525.35 billion was the total income accruing to the state, statutory allocations inclusive, but the state was left with a debt of N222.3 billion by May, 2015,” the panel said.

“In other words, the sum of N747.65 billion could be said to have been expended on Plateau State citizens in the last eight years. Looking at the state in its current condition, we are at a loss where all this money went to.”

The committee said some individuals in the Jang administration became lords over others.

“There was an individual who was a jack of all trades, who appropriated three titles to himself, each conveying separate and identifiable functions. He was a “Statistician-General”, a “Salary Administrator” and a “General Manager” all at the same time,” the committee said.

Receiving the report, Governor Lalong pledged to fully implement the recommendations of the committee.

“Government will, without delay, study and commence the implementation of the recommendation of the committee with a view to repositioning government for the important task of delivering on the mandate given to her,” the governor said.

He said all those said to have milked the state dry would not be left unpunished.