Events unfolding in Jos, the Plateau State capital suggests that Governor Simon Lalong is being reprimanded by several quarters for spending recklessly at a time of dwindling revenue and when civil servants are owed several months of outstanding pay.

The allegation emanates from the accusation that the Governor spent approximately N500 million to buy gifts at Christmas for several power and political blocs in the state.

Given that the total salary amount of civil servants pay in the state amounts to approx. N1.6 billion, several feelers expressed disgust at the spending of approximately one-third of that sum simply on buying Christmas largess and presents for cronies.

This is happening at the backdrop of the fact that the government still owes civil servants October, November and December salaries despite the bailout loan by the Federal Government and up to N10 billion of loan (taken in the last 7 months, since assuming office).

A source who spoke to journalists, alleged that the sum of N500 million spent by the government was from local governments’ monthly subvention and the state’s allocation for November.

The source alleged that the House of Assembly frowned at government’s reckless spending, adding that it vowed to use the 2016 budget to curb “executive recklessness” by reducing the recurrent expenditure.

Reacting to this developments, the Director of Press Affairs to the execrative Governor, Mr. Samuel Nanle, debunked the allegation, describing it as false and malicious.

Nanle averred that – “The government cannot spend such amount for Christmas. What is being represented in the media, as cheap lies and propaganda.”

Nanle exonerated Lalong’s family from distributing gifts during the Yuletide. His words: “The purchase was handled by a committee chaired by the chief of staff. It was a direct purchase by the committee, not by any contractor.”

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Row in Plateau over PLSG’s N500 million Christmas gift to political cronies