Politics I Can't Live in a House Worth N15bn -Plateau Governor-elect Refuses to Move Into Govt House

[abujagirl]

Simon Lalong, Governor-elect of Plateau state on Tuesday said he won't be moving into the State's government house.



Explaining why he won't be moving in, the governor elect said that other than the place been uncompleted, he does not need such luxury to serve the people.

His words as captured 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''.

#Lalong #Plateau

 

[curator]

Spin... [USERGROUP=4]@Senior Curators[/USERGROUP]

 

[abujagirl]

Atleast they understand how to manage perception

 

[LequteMan]

@Temitope what are your thoughts? I personally don't care that deeply if he moves in or not as long as he takes care of the masses.

 

[Temitope]

@Lequte: I wonder where Lalong wants to live? The old residence has been bequeathed to the traditional council of the state. The question here is not whether he lives there or not. The deal has been done. In fact, refusing to live there will lead to more wastage of resources because some other monies would have to be spent on wherever he chooses to live to befit a governor. I agree that Jonah Jang had misplaced priorities but Lalong is no saint too. He was the Speaker of the state house when Joshua Dariye was governor and he was allegedly impeached on allegations of corruption.

 

[LequteMan]

@Temitope I like the part about him wasting funds by not living in the house built for him. Like @curator said, it's a spin. A cheap publicity stint.

He should simply hit the ground running and worry less about where he lives. Afterall Plateau is listed among the 10 poorest states in Nigeria

 

[curator]

Atleast they understand how to manage perception

They should focus on truly managing the resources. The problem is when the focus is on managing perception, there is no work done!

 

[abujagirl]

They should focus on truly managing the resources. The problem is when the focus is on managing perception, there is no work done!

I agree but then perception is a big part of governance