From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos
Governor, Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State has accused his predicessor, Jonah David Jang of using cattle colony saga to take away attention of youths and other people in the state from the N2b Federal Government Intervention Fund released to Jang by the last administration.
The governor who made the allegation at a 3-day retreat and strategy session of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (SMEDAN) in Jos explained that Jang should have begun to think on how to refund the missing N2b.
According to him, this money was expected to utilise for youth empowerment but that the youths were being used by Jang to divert attention from the current investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In his words , “I came into office thinking of how to engage, how to empower youth unfortunately the first record I saw on my table was that the past administration gave N2b to Plateau state to set up an agency for the empowerment and employment of youths and I was told that the money had disappeared. I was worried, there was no agency, it meant the administration did not bother about employment, or youth engagement and empowerment. I took up the challenge and set up the agency.
“I want you to go back and I charge you before everybody. Invite the past administration and invite me to a live debate on television, let us explain what happened to the N2b and I assure you if I get N2b today I will turn around the fortune of the youths in Plateau state,” he said.
“EFCC has invited them to explain what they have done with the N2b that is why they are trying to divert attention. Instead of saying look at your money and give back the money. Let them bring the money before we can talk about cattle ranch or Fulani, “ he added.
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