The governor of Plateau state, Barr. Simon Lalong on Tuesday, whilst interacting with judiciary workers, disclosed that the immediate past governor of the state, Da. Jonah David Jang, left N104 billion debt in his handover note to him.

Lalong made the scathing remarks while addressing judiciary workers led by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Pius Damulak, who visited him at the old Government House, Rayfield in Jos.

In a swift reaction, an aide to Jang, who preferred anonymity, while not disputing the figure, said, “The real debt with the bank is N18 billion; the rest are unpaid salaries and monies needed to be paid to contractors for the ongoing projects that are not yet completed.”

Shedding light to issue, Lalong said he found an empty treasury, saying Jang left him a total debt of N104 billion, including the non-payment of seven months’ workers’ salaries, as well as the pension allowances.

Speaking, he said “I want the judiciary and pressmen to know that the past administration left N104 billion documented in the handing over note to me and there is also no kobo left in the treasury, in addition to all that pain, we will have to contend with worker’s salaries which have remained unpaid for 7 months, not to mention pension allowances”.

Responding on behalf of judiciary workers, the state chief Judge, Justice Pius Damulak decried the underfunding of the state judiciary during the past administration, calling on the governor to strengthen the judiciary by funding it adequately, in order for it to play its part in governance.

In the light of such weighty allegations, ViewPointNigeria is already making efforts to contact other principal officers of the past administration, in order to clarify the exact position of the handover.

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Lalong: Jang left 104 Billion Debt in handover note to me