Plateau state governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has described the N307 billion debt profile he inherited from the immediate past administration in the state as intimidating and worrisome.
A statement by the spokesman to the governor, Gyang Bere said Mutfwang spoke while receiving reports from the Committee on a Four-Year Strategic Development Blueprint for Plateau State and the Transition Committee, both headed by Prof. Ganyir Lombin on Monday at the Government House, Jos.
Mutfwang while expressing surprise over the revelations by the committee that the debt profile previous administration left a debt profile of N307 billion, recalled that during the campaigns there speculations that the debt profile of the state was N200 billion.
“You highlighted the debt burden. I knew that throughout the campaign, we were under the mistaken belief that our debt burden was around N200 billion and to hear that it is N307 billion is quite intimidating and worrisome”, he said.
According to him Plateau state is facing challenges, stressing however that the problems will be surmounted.
He said, “By the grace of God, the challenges we are confronted with are not insurmountable.
“Of particular concern is the issue of security which unfortunately has become to us, a major distraction.
“We are confident that by the grace of God, with some of the new security personnel on the ground, and with the Special Adviser on Security assuming responsibility, we will be able to see a difference, not too long from now”.
Mutfwang said he will study the report and act appropriately.
“These reports will give rise to further investigation, further studies that we need to embark upon and we will not waste time in doing so by the grace of God”, he said.
The governor reiterated his determination to fulfill his constitutional mandate of protecting the lives and property of the people of the state.
Earlier while presenting the reports, chairman of the two committees, Prof. Ganyir Lombin disclosed that the state is indebted to the tune of N307 billion.
He lamented that the administration of former governor Simon Lalong “did not avail the committee the opportunity to make inputs in the handover documents submitted to the joint committee before May 29, 2023.”
Lombin said “the handover notes submitted to the governor by the former administration on 29 May 2023 was scanty and lacked necessary details as they did not follow the agreed template developed by the Joint Committee.”
Lombin said, “The handover notes stated that the revenue which accrued to the Plateau State Government from May 2015 to May 2023 stood at N872 billion.
“The total expenditure was only given from May 2015 to December 2022 and not up to May 2023 at N810 billion.
“Does this suggest that there was no expenditure from January 2023 to May 2023? Or was it deliberate misinformation?”
He said, “The government needs to look at this critically and where necessary, take approximate action.
“There is no clear figure for the state’s monthly wage Bill. However, this administration has inherited a backlog of four months of unpaid salaries to public servants amounting to over N11 billion.
“Outstanding gratuity and Pension arrears of N24 billion was also inherited.
“The Legacy Projects are marred in controversies and unresolved legal cases which have stalled their implementation.
“Currently, the sum of N12 billion for this project is still in the custody of the Trustees of the funds.”
According to Lombin, “There are 3, 692 items of government assets and properties including cars and houses that were sold and auctioned at a ridiculous price both within and outside the state.
“This needs to be further investigated and where necessary, appropriate action be taken.”
Lombin said Mutfwang inherited a near-bankrupt state, with weak institutions, low public morale, and a high level of insecurity but with high expectations from the citizenry.
He described the task ahead of the governor as enormous but not insurmountable.
He commended the governor
for his determined to succeed in the pursuit of the collective interest of the Plateau people.
