Plateau State
THE Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong has debunked the insinuation that the on ongoing efforts by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to recover some of the looted funds from the state is witch hunting and a ploy to destroy the political career of some politicians in the state.
Governor Lalong who disclosed this in a state broadcast to the people of the state to mark the third years of his administration explained that when his administration came to power in 2015 its instituted the Justice Stephen Adah Commission of Inquiry to probe the activities of the previous administration, in the spirit of drawing up a demarcation on where the State stood in the past, and where it intends to move now and thereafter.
He added that the exercises were carried out in response to the yearnings and aspirations of the people who have continued to demand to know how their finances and affairs had been run and managed adding that the findings of the Commission of Inquiry without prejudice, revealed substantial evidence of corruption and impropriety while forwarded to the anti-graft agencies to help recover the stolen monies from all those who have cut corners or dipped their hands in the public coffers or treasury.
“Nevertheless, the anti-corruption agencies especially the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) which have no sacred cows have been sniffing around to ensure that looted funds are recovered and returned to the treasury. These steps are not aimed at witch-hunting as is being wrongly perceived in some quarters.
“For the records, by my disposition in life, I do not take any pleasure or gain in witch-hunting anyone as being peddled by those who have chosen, either out of mischief or ignorance, to give an ethnic or political colouration to recent activities of the Anti-Graft agency in the State. Under a democratic dispensation, people have the right to hold their own opinions, but the fight against corruption should be seen as an issue that borders on governance and has nothing to do with any ethnic, religious or political leanings,” he said.
According to him, the fight against corruption is solely the mandate of the anti-graft agencies, which are statutorily empowered by the relevant Acts of the National Assembly to prosecute corrupt practices.
ALSO READ: Akeredolu salutes Nigerians resilience in sustaining nation’s democracy
He commended the Speaker Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Peter Azi and all members of the State House of Assembly for their diligence and patriotism in considering and passing into Law several Executive Bills that have ensured the peaceful co-existence and good governance being provided.
The Governor who said the administration will continue to work hard towards sustaining the prevailing peace in the state stated that the desire of the government to sustain the peace lead to the establishment of the Police Mobile Squadron Unit in Longvel, Shendam LGA and the 205 Combat, Search and Rescue Operation Unit of the Nigerian Airforce in Kerang, Mangu LGA.
Said he: “These are testimonies of our synergy with the Federal Government. We shall continue to support the Security Agencies towards its sustenance as recently done with provision of fifty-three (53) logistics vehicles in Shendam. Given the imperative and constitutional duty of the government to protect life and property of every Citizen, we shall also continue to dedicate resources and energy towards these responsibilities; just as we commiserate with the families of all those who lost their lives and properties to the tragic activities of the Herdsmen in some localities.”
He added that the state government is vigorously pursuing special requests made to the Presidency for the benefit of the State, such as dualization of the Abuja -Jos Road, request for synergy and intervention for a major Trauma Services and Centre along the Hawan Kibo area, support to our Peace Building Initiatives and Roadmap or Blueprint.
and then