Lalong Doesn't Want To Live In New Expensive Govt House

Simon Lalong, Plateau state governor-elect, refuses to work from the new government house in Jos because he considers it a way too luxurious place.

The incoming head of the state said he did not need such an expensive property to serve people.

Lalong was quoted as saying by The Nation:

“I am not going to occupy an uncompleted building as a government house. In any case, I don’t need such a house to work for the people of Plateau state.

“In serving Plateau people, I don’t need a luxury office. I’d rather prefer people of the state live in luxury homes with all social services provided. So, I don’t think a new government house is a priority of Plateau people. I don’t need such an office to serve my people.

“I was told that new government house has cost over N15 billion and it is still uncompleted. I can’t live in such an office when Plateau people have no water to drink, children are not going to school, civil servants are not paid, there is no medical care in rural areas and most villages have no roads. So, I don’t need such capital-intensive government house. Such a project amounts to a misapplication of scarce fund.”

Speaking further about the current state of Plateau, Lalond vowed to review and complete the ongoing projects.

He also recalled that Governor Jonah Jang was leaving the office”owing the civil servants at least seven months of unpaid salaries and unquantified workers’ allowances and pensioners’ funds”. Thus, the incoming leader stressed the importance of setting up a committee to properly deal with the situation.

Last month Lalong alleged that the outgoing administration was going to sell off the government properties before the power handover. Jang, however, characterized the allegations as baseless.