Jos Protest: Why Nigerians Doubt Gov Lalong’s Story

By Ayodele Oluwafemi

Many Nigerians have disagreed with Governor Simon Lalong over his claim that the value of private and public properties looted in the state in recent days was up to N75 billion.

Lalong had on Friday, during an Interactive session with Plateau youths, said after preliminary evaluation of level of the destruction and looting in the state, the sum of 75 billion was arrived as the losses.

The governor said that it would take many years to recover from the wanton destruction and looting.

He said, “The level of destruction and carnage is unbelievable and unacceptable. We are still trying to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the total cost of the damage. However, the preliminary report by a team of experts I constituted has estimated the losses to be put at about 75 billion naira for now.

“Since coming into power, my administration has remained committed to pursuing the economic development of the state through youth empowerment and job creation.

“You would agree with me that the enormity of the challenges we face cannot be resolved overnight or with a wave of the hand. It is a process that all of us must collectively work together to achieve.”

Many of those who have reacted the governor’s statement were sceptical of the N75billion estimated for the properties destroyed and looted.

@Bisi96 tweeted: “The entire revenue generated by Plateau state in 2018 is N12.7 BN Between January and June 2019 the IGR for said state was N9.2 BN

You people have never even seen N75 BN in the life of your state. Stop lying.”

@Morris_Monye tweeted: “Hooooooow!!!!! How much is Plateau’s annual budget? Opportunity to reloot.”

@Lapshark_ tweeted: “Well, Gov. Lalong just said Plateau State lost 75 billion Naira as a result of the looting and destruction. I hear Lagos is claiming 1 trillion. Y’all handed them a cheap win.”

@SuperSlimEli tweeted: “75 billion? Haba Lalong ka ji soron Allah mana, Haba Hideous lies with no shame fa ?How much is Plateau state budget in the first place?”

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