Your Victory Not One of Glamour but a Call to Serve the People, Lalong to New LG EXCO
…Warn Against Wasteful Spending, Injustice, Others
By Ralph Madugu
Governor Simon Bako Lalong has expressed anger with the media in Plateau State.
The governor made this known while swearing in the newly elected Chairman of the 17 LGCs in the state.
Lalong said, “Specifically, I want to express with my displeasure on the conduct of some conventional and social media users and proprietors who threw caution to the wind during the process.”
“They allowed politicians and their foot soldiers their platforms to freely propagate and disseminate content that sought to incite people against one another and also pitch them against Government. This is most unfortunate and highly regrettable.”
While cautioning against media practitioners against such unethical practices, the governor however, urged them to beware of the dangers they are exposing the State and its people to urging them to also realize that there are consequences for every action.
Said he “We should always exercise caution and adhere to the rules of the game.
“When we destroy the State, there will not be any opportunity for contest or politics.”
The governor called on citizens of the state to put behind all differences and work together in building a better Plateau that will yield its prosperity and endowments to the current generation and the ones to come.
Lalong said election is neither war nor an avenue for division and disharmony adding that those who do not succeed today can emerge tomorrow.
He however, urged individuals and groups not to exert pressure or demands on the newly sworn in LG officials as according to him, that could affect their focus and divert their attention from delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.
“Since you have elected them to work, please allow them do the work,” Lalong appealed.
Applauding the security agencies, the media, political parties, the electorates and all citizens for their continued support and cooperation to the Rescue Administration particularly in the successful conduct of the elections, Lalong noted that this has given his administration for the future of the state.
For the newly elected LG Chairmen, the governor charged them to see their victory as a challenge and not one of glamour but a call to service and opportunity to serve the people by bringing to bear their wealth of experience and make a difference.
He reminded them that the LG as the third tier of Government closest to the people, the expectations are very high for the delivery of basic services that will improve the living standards of the people.
Lalong tasked the chairmen to fulfil the various promises they made to the people in the course of their campaigns hence they must work hard.
“In the course of your campaigns, you made various promises to the people which you must work hard to fulfill.
“You are coming at a time when the nation and our state is still suffering from the impact of the Corona virus pandemic which has adversely affected many facets of life, including finances of the Local Government.
“However, in developing your blueprints, you must think outside the box and explore other sources of revenue generation that will enable you carry out people oriented projects.
“You must key into the new joint revenue drive between State and Local Governments which commenced last year in order to ensure that we tap from revenue sources that have been neglected over the years.”
He further charged the Council chairmen to also take advantage of the full autonomy currently being enjoyed by the Local Government System in the State to do more for the people.
“This means that you must embrace prudence, accountability and accord priority to the programmes and projects that have direct bearing on lives of the people.
Prioritize on projects that are economically viable and can yield revenue. There is no time for recklessness,” he advised.