Keep Faith with APC, Lalong Appeals to Agitated Plateau Indigenes

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, monday appealed to the agitated indigenes of the state to keep faith with the government of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the state and federal levels, acknowledging that “the times are no doubt hard, and the reality of the adjustments we have to make are not doubt tasking.”

He said: “We are not responsible for the challenges we are facing now, but as a responsible government, we are committed to fixing it.”

Lalong stated this yesterday while delivering his speech at the swearing in of four Special Advisers at the Government House Rayfield in Jos.

He added: “This however demands patience, because just like for every seed planted, there is a waiting gestation period before the harvest. We are doing our best to ensure that the wealth of opportunities and resources we have identified are fully exploited, so we can improve the quality of life of our citizens.

“We will ensure that the social safety nets that will cushion the effects of the present economic recessions are strengthened, and that we continue to obligate ourselves to opportunities for wealth creation.

“Be rest assured we will get out of the woods, and together we will reap the benefits derivable from the mandate you have given us.

“The lean finances of government have no doubt called for deliberate adjustments which will reduce the cost of running government bureaucracy, while also not compromising the qualitative service that the wealth of experience of seasoned technocrats and bureaucrats can add to the business of government.”

Lalong noted that the set of advisers that have been sworn in “have no doubt earned their place, having served meritoriously in their various professional callings. I am not un-mindful of the fact that expectations are high from the array of professionals our state is endowed with.
“The several pieces of advice I have received from senior citizens of the state bear eloquent testimony to the fact that we are running a government that is people-oriented and people monitored.”

He added: “The value of the mandate we hold, is strengthened by the fact that our citizens are concerned about how government is run, and that they will not withhold any worthy input that will help the Rescue Administration in the state stay on course.
“We can therefore as a government say without mincing words, that we have so many non-salaried advisers and for this, we are sincerely appreciative of it.”

The governor also said he has informally ensured that the consultative dialogue with different stakeholders across the state is sustained; we will continue to ensure that this platform for engagement is improved upon. As we do this, the avenue for exchange of ideas and the advancement of suggestion on best practices, for the delivery of the highest and best good of democracy to the generality of our citizens will be guaranteed.”

“We are further not reneging on our plan of constituting and inaugurating the Elders Advisory Council, as a non-statutory body that will add value to the act of governance. This body is only awaiting the constitution of the team of special advisers to be formally unveiled. This is what we are witnessing today, and we will strategically be expanding the team of advisers to meet up with what has been approved by the House of Assembly in the course of time.”

While charging the newly sworn in special advisers to perform their duties diligently, the governor reminded them that “‎the exigencies of your duties, coming on board a year after our assumption of office, will demand you come up to speed with the activities of government at a meteoric speed. Not only will you be expected to look at the time lines we have set for the various ministerial interventions under your scheduled advisory offices, but you will also be expected to serve as internal evaluators of the various interventions upon which you will be advising me as governor, and by extension the government.”