Lack of funds delaying appointment of Commissioners in Plateau

Simon Lalong, the governor of Plateau State

Mr Emmanuel Nanle, Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Plateau Governor, said that lack of funds and other requirements was delaying the constitution of the Plateau Executive Council.

Nanle, however, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos on Sunday that the state cabinet will be constituted as soon as the issues were resolved.

He said that some issues needed to be resolved before the appointment of individuals to head the ministries and commissions in the state.

According to him, the ministries and commissions cannot function effectively without funds.

NAN reports that Gov. Simon Lalong is yet to appoint commissioners and special advisers six months after his inauguration.

“The APC-led government came to power and replaced another political party that had been in charge for the past 16 years.

“So there is the need for it to lay its foundation before making appointments.

“The governor is waiting for the transition committee report to get the true position of things in the state.

“APC took over from a government that has been in power for the past 16 years.

“The rivalry and animosity prevented access to vital information that would influence government’s decisions, as it were, and that took almost two months.

“The governor, thereafter, directed every local government to initiate a process through which people, who will represent them in government, will be selected.

“Through the process, three names were produced from each local government, and since democracy is process-driven, there is the need to give time for consultation from the community level up to the state level.’’

Nanle said that the government was also waiting for the Federal Government to streamline the number of ministries for the state government to have a first line charge.

He stated that on the basis of what has taken place at the federal level, Plateau will not have more than 15 ministries as it is now.

Nanle, however, said that persons nominated to serve in the state executive council had passed the stage of security screening.

“The list will be presented to the State House of Assembly by the first week of December and hopefully, in the second week, we should have commissioners and special advisers in Plateau,’’ the director said.