Tragedy Strikes Heipang Community, Plateau State: Steps Taken to Address Security Concerns and Financial Challenges

JOS, Nigeria - The Heipang community in Plateau State witnessed a heart-wrenching tragedy as a violent attack claimed the lives of 17 individuals. Julius Pam, who resides in the community, shared his grief over losing his brother's entire family in the unfortunate incident.

The Plateau State Police Command has dispatched security forces to the affected community to restore peace and provide reassurance to the residents. Efforts to obtain official comments from the command were unsuccessful, but the presence of security personnel has been confirmed.

In response to the increasing security challenges faced by the state, Governor Caleb Mutfwang has taken a crucial step by establishing a Security and Information Centre. The Center aims to create a seamless channel for the public to report security concerns and convey other related information directly to the state authorities.

The newly introduced Security and Information Centre will feature a toll-free hotline (080 0000 5555) for citizens to communicate their concerns. The state government will bear the cost of all incoming calls, ensuring citizens can freely share information without any financial burden.

While the primary focus of the center is to address security concerns, it will also serve as a platform for the general public to provide feedback on various developmental aspects within the state. The facility promises round-the-clock operations to ensure prompt responses to every concern raised by the residents.

Addressing the populace, Governor Mutfwang has urged the residents of Plateau State to actively use the newly established facility. He assured the public of the utmost confidentiality and swift action on all reported matters, emphasizing that quick responses to potential threats are crucial in enhancing the safety and well-being of the state's inhabitants.

Furthermore, a recent report has shed light on the financial challenges faced by the current administration. The previous governor, Simon Lalong, left a staggering debt burden of N307 billion for his successor. This amount exceeds the earlier estimate of N200 billion, amplifying the financial pressure on the state.

The report also revealed a lack of state expenditure records from January to May 2023. The Committee on a Four-Year Strategic Development Blueprint for Plateau State and the Plateau State Transition Committee, led by Professor Ganyir Lombin, brought these findings to Governor Mutfwang's attention. Professor Lombin stated that the previous administration did not allow the committee to provide inputs into the handover documents, which lacked necessary details and did not adhere to the agreed template for submission.

According to the committee's findings, the total revenue accrued to the Plateau State Government from May 2015 to May 2023 amounted to N872 billion. However, the expenditure records were only available until December 2022, leaving no details for January to May 2023, with a total amount of N810 billion unaccounted for. The committee raised concerns about deliberate misinformation or the absence of expenditure records for the first five months of 2023.

In addition to the daunting debt burden, the governor inherited four months of unpaid salaries for public servants, totaling over N11 billion, and N24 billion in pension arrears. Furthermore, unresolved controversies surround legacy projects, with N12 billion still under the custody of Trustees.

Despite the challenging situation, Professor Lombin expressed confidence that Governor Mutfwang's determination to serve the people of Plateau State would address these issues. The governor has affirmed his commitment to utilizing the report's findings and initiating further investigations prudently.

Despite the current financial setbacks, Governor Mutfwang remains optimistic, particularly regarding security issues. He hopes that the deployment of additional security personnel and the appointment of a Special Adviser on Security will soon yield positive results.

Source of content: OOO News 2023-08-11 News

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