Ugar Ukandi Odey, Jos
The All Progressives Congress, APC, government of Governor Simon Bako Lalong in Plateau State has been described to be “full of lamentations” due to its inability to deliver on electoral promises and the imperative of good governance generally.
Reviewing the almost six years of the Lalong administration in an exclusive chat, the Plateau State Chairman of the Africa Democratic Congress, ADC, Sabiu Musa, said so far in Jos and environs, “there is nothing to point at as achievement of the Lalong administration”.
“Look at Jos and compare it with other state capitals in Nigeria. It is one of the worst cities in the country today. I’m saying this on good authority because I travel a lot – I have been going to different places in the country; and I have been noting the difference”, Sabiu Musa, who was also the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the 2015 and 2019 general elections, said.
According to Sabiu, Lalong showed early signs of lack of focus and concentration when he failed in his first tenure to address his retinue of advisers and assistants of whom he, Sabiu, was one, to share the vision and policy thrust of his administration.
The ADC chieftain also said he is not surprised that urban governance and infrastructure have degenerated to an abysmal low, with little hope that things will get better in the remainder of his tenure.
Sabiu noted that of all parts of the State, Jos North local government area has been the worst for it, pointing out that areas such as Angwa Rogo and Bauchi Road have never had potable water supply since the inception of the Lalong administration in 2015.
Part of the disappointments of Lalong in Jos North, Sabiu listed, also include failing to upgrade and recognize certain traditional and chieftaincy matters and delineations within the Jos North traditional council.
The APC chairman also carpeted the efforts of the Lalong administration in respect of the destroyed Jos Main Market, saying the over one billion naira purportedly used to evacuate debris of the collapsed building should have been used to service or expand some other existing infrastructure because it does not appear certain that Lalong will be able to rebuild the market before his tenure comes to a close.
Sabiu also regretted that the Lalong government has allowed facilities in the old JUTH to waste and decay in the face of daily health needs and challenges the people of Plateau grapple with.
“Nothing appears to be working anywhere, and everywhere people are complaining. This Lalong’s government is full of lamentations”, Sabiu concluded.
