Lalong warns new commissioners not to mismanage Plateau funds

Plateau Governor Simon Lalong has warned the newly appointed commissioners in the state against mismanagement of funds under their jurisdiction.

The governor warned during the oath-taking of the seven new commissioners on Tuesday at Government House, Jos.

They were appointed to replace those who resigned to pursue their political ambitions and other endeavours.

He said their appointment was not an avenue to make money but to serve the people by ensuring the achievements of his administration’s mandate.

“The resources in your custody are to carry out programmes and projects for the good of all.

“Anyone found to be working against the public interest or at cross purposes with the mandate and vision of the rescue administration will be shown the way out,” he said.

He urged the supporters of the appointees not to put them under any pressure or distract them from their responsibilities.

Mr Lalong warned civil servants against sabotaging the new appointees or working against the government’s interest for political or other reasons, saying that defaulters would be punished in line with the civil service rules and guidelines.

“This warning has become necessary because of the tendency for some recalcitrant civil servants to think that because an administration is coming to an end, you can sabotage it in order to curry favour from an incoming one,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the appointees, Benard Matur thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve and assured him and the Plateau people to discharge their duties diligently.

Those appointed were Banerd Matur as commissioner for Higher Education, Daniel Dalyop, Sports; Benjamin Jang, Science and Technology; and Cecilia Yilkorah, Tourism and Hospitality Development.

Others are Peter Inbutuk; Physical Planning and Urban Development, Elisha Bitrus; Environment and Tehlkuk Pingwai; Lands and Survey.

(NAN)