Jang Left N104bn Debt, Says Lalong

Governor Simon Lalong


Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State on Tuesday disclosed that the immediate past governor of the state, Jonah David Jang, left N104 billion debt in his handover note to him.

He made the disclosure while addressing judiciary workers led by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Pius Damulak, who visited him at the old Government House, Rayfield in Jos.

But an aide to Jang, who preferred anonymity, while not disputing the figure, said, “The real debt with the bank is N18 billion; the rest are unpaid salaries and monies needed to be paid to contractors for the ongoing projects that are not yet completed.”

According to Lalong, he found no kobo in the state treasury as Jang left him a total debt of N104 billion, including the non-payment of seven months’ workers’ salaries, as well as the pensions in the state.

“I want the judiciary to know that the past administration left N104 billion documented in the handing over note to me and there is also no kobo left in the treasury of the state, and we will have to battle again with the seven months unpaid salaries of workers, including pensioners in the state.”

Responding, the state chief Judge, Justice Pius Damulak also decried the under -funding of the state judiciary during the past administration and called on the governor to take the judicial system of government as a key sector which should not be played with.

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