Lalong vows to recover looted funds taken from Plateau

Nanmwa Golok

Plateau state Governor, Simon Lalong on Monday   reiterated his administration’s determination to  recover looted funds from the state.

He also accused the  immediate past administration  of  the state of capitalising on the ongoing debate on cattle ranches and colonies to divert attention from the missing N2b Federal Government Intervention Fund released to the immediate past  government  by the then President Good luck Jonathan administration.  

Lalong said at a 3-day retreat and strategy session of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (SMEDAN) in Jos that, instead of focusing on how to get back the N2b fund which should have been used to set up an agency for the empowerment of the youths, the youths were being used by the former governor to divert attention from the ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He challenged the Plateau state Youth Council  chairman, Dr. Fabong Yildam to ensure that youths in the state find out what happened to the missing fund adding that, “the same people who disappeared with the N2b because EFCC has now taken the challenge to investigate the matter are coming up with something to divert the attention of the youths. And that is why we are having theses unnecessary talks about cattle ranch, grazing reserves and cattle colony.”

“I want you to go back and I charge you before everybody. Invite the past administration and invite me to a live debate on television, let us explain what happened to the N2b and I assure you if I get N2b today I will turn around the fortune of the youths in Plateau state,” he said.   

“EFCC has invited them to explain what they have done with the N2b that is why they are trying to divert attention.

“I came into office thinking of how to engage, how to empower youth unfortunately the first record I saw on my table was that the past administration gave N2b to Plateau state to set up an agency for the empowerment and employment of youths and I was told that the money had disappeared. I was worried, there was no agency, it meant the administration did not bother about employment, or youth engagement and empowerment. I took up the challenge and set up the agency.

He also vowed that his administration is determined to better the lives of citizens of the state.

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Lalong Vows to Recover Looted Funds Taken from Plateau