Meet The Nigerian Governor Who Has Not Received Any Salary For 100 Days

The Plateau State Governor, Simon
Lalong, said on Sunday that he has
not received any salary since he
assumed office due to inadequate
funds in government coffers.

Mr. Lalong made the disclosure to
Journalists in Plateau on Sunday
night at a media chat to mark his
100 days in office. He said the media
parley was for citizens of the state to
assess his performance since he
assumed office on May 29.
parley was for citizens of the state to
assess his performance since he
assumed office on May 29.

He said the financial situation of the
state was also the reason for the
delay in making political
appointments.

“Even those I have appointed so far
have not been paid salaries.

“I myself have not received a single
month salary as I speak with you; we
want to settle civil servants salaries
first,” he said.

On insecurity, Governor Lalong said
150 additional mobile police officers
were recently deployed to the state to
curb communal attacks, particularly
in Barkinladi and Riyom local
government areas where violence
has continue unabated.

On the recovery of public funds
allegedly looted by his predecessor,
Jonah Jang, Mr. Lalong said he has
handed the matter to the anti-graft
agency, EFCC, to investigate and
bring defaulters to book.

“Since the two weeks grace I gave
them elapsed without any response, I
have written to EFCC to take over
from where we stop, but if they
delay in the assignment, I will
remind them again,” he said.
Mr. Lalong also said his
administration has paid 5 out of the
7 months workers’ salaries arrears
he inherited.

“We will pay the 6th month
tomorrow (Monday),” he said.

The governor also said that the
Plateau crisis lingered because
security operatives were owed 6
months allowances, which his
administration has settled.

He explained that the state was yet to
access the federal government
bailout funds. According to him,
Plateau will be in the next batch of
states to receive the bailout funds.
Commenting on the allegation that
his administration has already
borrowed money, he explained that
he took a loan of N4.5 billion to
settle workers’ salaries.