The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku/Okowa and Mutfwang/Piyo Campaign Directorate in Plateau State has charged the Plateau State government to put to good use the N6.6 Billion Road Construction Refunds recently made to it by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing as stated by the superintending Minister, His Excellency Babatunde Fashola.
The Minister had said the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday 1st February, 2023 approved the disbursement of the said amount to cover “for road projects executed on behalf of the federal government” in Plateau State.
Speaking after the meeting, the Minister explained that the refunds “were necessary”

The Director of Media and Publicity Directorate of the Campaign Council, Hon. Abraham Yiljap said the fund in question is no small amount for a state that is struggling with a staggering debt and a very uncomplimentary poverty score among 36 other States of the Federation.
According to him, last December, a team from Abuja visited the State and inspected some selected projects from Jos North to Langtang South.
He also stated that from all indications, some PDP completed projects are also included among those that made up the package that have been qualified for the refund.

“It is for this administration to disclose to the people of Plateau the projects that have made the refunds “necessary” as claimed by the Hon Minister of Works and Housing.

We find it also absolutely curious that the ruling party is ecstatically praising the governor for “the payment of backlog of workers’ salaries and for being up to date in the payment of pension to retired civil servants in the State.”

“The APC State Chairman in a statement said the party “was delighted that inspite of the economic downturn being experienced by the country which has led to a drastic fall in revenue allocation to the state, Governor Lalong has been able to fulfil his obligations to the workforce”
“This administration must be self-deluded! Does it really believe that Plateau workers are this cheap? Is this exiting administration saying that because it is throwing part of the N6.6bn at the workers they will take it, chop it, clean their mouths and gratefully vote for a party that has made suffering a second skin for them? Will Plateau workers forget that they are paid justly for their work and still go out and queue up for a party that has clumsily crafted a political philosophy of “chop make I chop”?
“It’s such an upsetting piece of blackmail, humiliation and manipulation!” the statement hinted.

He said if the payment of salaries is for the workers and pensioners to take note of and be favourably disposed towards February 25 and March 11, then the ruling Party’s vote hunters must prepare for the shock of their lives!
“We are also amused by another reality that has come out of this frail administration since the refund was announced. Suddenly, the ruling party called a gathering and inaugurated the sixteen directorates of its campaign council! This was a subtle hint that “the kayan aiki (campaign money) has arrived, so you will be empowered to start the work now.” They are not campaigning on issues. Misery that has become the lot of the people?
“They’ve been stuck in their trenches all this while. They will crawl out now only because there is what appears to them to be cheap money to buy the required votes in anyway possible. Plateau cannot go back this way. Never!
“The reasonable expectation of the Atiku-Okowa, Mutfwang-Piyo Campaign Council is that the Plateau State government should quickly and dutifully release a clearly well-thought out plan on the priority areas that will justify spending this much needed money now.
“Such areas should make positive impact on the lives of the already traumatised people who are daily groaning under an APC-induced fuel and Naira scarcity.
“N6, 601,769,470.99 no be small money.
N6, 601,769,470.99 cannot and must not be APC’s campaign funds.
N6, 601,769,470.99 must upgrade the lives of the people of Plateau State” he concluded.

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Plateau PDP Campaign Council Calls for Judicious Utilization of Road Projects Refund