Yakubu Busari, Jos
Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State has disclosed that his administration has spent N22bn on the completion of abandoned projects in the state. He disclosed this information during a historic visit to Nigeria Union of Journalists ,NUJ ,Plateau State chapter, along with the commissioner for information and communication Yakubu Dati as part of electioneering ahead of 2019 polls.
The governor whose scheduled visit was greeted with the presence of media men and women both from the both public and private sector, said his administration has spent almost N22bn to complete abandoned projects, especially with the one at Mararaban Jama’a,” adding that his administration is not selective in citing projects in the state but remains committed to the project of transforming the state to an enviable height
He said projects are not just cited in places of his choice, but done according to the selection by stakeholders and respective Local Government Councils chairmen.
According to him, it is important to complete all the abandon projects, because they are of benefits to the people of the state
He disclosed that the President has directed the Federal Ministry of Finance to process refund of money to the state.
“I was happy when I saw that the budget was passed, and it is our hope that the money will be refunded,” he said.
He added that lack of resources is making the Government not to mobilised contractors to continue with some of the projects but “that is why when they stop work, some people will go on the social media saying the projects have been abandon, we will mobilised them to go back to work.”
The Governor assured members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau State Council, of his administration’s readiness to work with the media for the advancement of democracy in the state and country
He said: “When I came here (NUJ Secretariat), it was not as dilapidated like this but we have a slogan and our own is to continue with abandoned projects and this is one of the abandoned projects.”
“This is not to say when you criticise you become our enemy, that is why in democracy there is room for opposition and what we want is a constructive criticism, because even if we reply you, we go back and sleep and say this man has said good thing,” he said.
At the end pf the visit, he announced donation of N500,000 to each family of nine deceased journalists, adding that the earlier pledge of N2m to the NUJ endowment fund, will be redeemed by next week, stressing that the new bus he promised the council would also be delivered.
