Ugar Ukandi Odey, Jos
Governor Simon Lalong has regretted that the extent of damage carried out by protesters in the State last week is such that the state does not have the wherewithal to reconstruct.
Speaking during an address at State engagement with youth groups in the State in continuation of consultations with stakeholders, the governor said he has already gone round to inspect and take stock of the damage and extent of vandalisation ,and “the level of destruction and carnage is unbelievable and unacceptable”.
He said that preliminary assessment of the public and private property destroyed by protesters in Jos last week stands at seventy five billion naira.
Lalong also disclosed that the property destroyed are public and private property, saying altogether, 32 property spread across Jos North and Jos South LGAs of the State.
Lalong said “these are very challenging times for the nation and for our State because of recent events which have left us counting our losses. Lives have been lost, property destroyed, and the voices of the youths loudly and clearly heard across the nation and beyond”.
Lalong expressed comisseration with the families that lost loved ones and others who have suffered injuries or lost property as a result of the protests.
Lalong however recalled that “despite efforts to meet with the #ENDSARS protests here in Plateau State, no one agreed to engage the government as the protesters claimed that they had no leaders”. He regretted that “this continued despite our appeal for the protests to end and the path of dialogue adopted”.
According to Lalong, the government warned of a possibility for the protests to be hijacked by “hoodlums and criminals who will want to hide under the situation to cause havoc”, regretting that “sadly, this was exactly what happened on Tuesday, October 20, when violence errupted and led to the destruction of lives and property in Jos and Bukuru metropolis”.
Thus, he said, “government was left with no option than to take the painful decision of imposing a curfew in Jos North and Jos South LGAs in order to stop further destruction of lives and property.
Governor Lalong called on the youths to reappraise their position and make meaningful contributions to nation building. Lalong said “my dear youths of Plateau State, we have gathered here in continuation of our consultations with stakeholders towards our journey to progress and development”.
Noting that the engagement with the youths was supposed to come up earlier, he said the effort “was obstructed by the uncertainties that arose because of the #ENDSARS protests and subsequent disturbances”.
Governor Lalong had earlier, to commemorate Te engagement with the youths, commissioned a new auditorium in the Government House, and named it Mrs Victoria Gowon Auditorium, noting that she stood effectively by her husband, General Yakubu Gowon when, as a youth, he took charge of the affairs of this country.
