News reaching our desk indicates that speaking after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at Aso rock, Abuja, Gov. Simon Lalong told journalist that he was there to express immense gratitude to the president for approving the N5 billion balance of bail out funds for Plateau (i.e., as balance for the previous N10 billion previously approved).

Speaking, Lalong said “I kept on drumming it to our people that only N5 billion of the previously approved N10 billion was released to us, but many continued to argue that we didn’t have any monies outstanding. Now it is clear that we do – so for the record,  Mr President has directed that the balance be released – he did that on the eve of his departure to London for his medical vacation”.

“Using the previously released N5 billion, we  paid-off staff salaries and only had a few months outstanding. Now I am glad to announce that on Tuesday, payment of the balance of workers salaries has commenced.

“After salary payment for a Plateau man, he is no longer annoyed with anything. He will allow government to run unhindered.

“That was what many were trying to use as catalyst during the grazing reserve protests, because many of these people were hungry and unhappy from lack of salary payments.”

“Initially, they drummed up the issue of their outstanding salaries, saying our government was incapable of paying, and then quickly brought in the issue of grazing reserves as a means of protest. However, with salaries currently being paid, we don’t expect much hassle on the Plateau”.