I’m probing Jang to give people better life — Lalong

Plateau State Governor, Mr. Simon Lalong, has said that his decision to probe the administration of his predecessor, Mr. Jonah Jang, is born out of his desire to give the people of the state the opportunity to know how the state was governed and its funds spent.

He said the probe would also afford the government the opportunity to review the past, assess the present, and plan for the future.

Lalong, who spoke in Jos, the state capital, on Wednesday at the inauguration of the committee he set up to investigate the eight years of the Jang administration, said, “I must state unequivocally that the constitution of this commission of inquiry, is certainly not for persecution but for us to set a solid foundation for the pursuit of that which will guarantee the prosperity of our people. It is also not a witch-hunt but a hunt for that which has probably been hidden from our citizens.”

Former Governor Jang, has, however, said he welcomes the move by his successor to probe him.

Lalong said the setting up of the commission was out of the conviction that corruption should not have any place in the affairs of the state, adding, “Corruption in all its ramification stagnates and in fact retards development; every leader worthy of the people’s mandate is therefore under the compulsion of duty and conscience to ensure that it is checked, this is one of our modest attempt in ensuring this.”

The governor said the members of the commission had been carefully chosen; their credentials had proven them worthy, having been adjudged worthy in character, cognate experience and soundness of mind, to carry out this commission.

While saying he had no reservation about the move to probe him, Jang, now a senator, said that the action would bring to rest “the inconsequential ranting, outbursts, threats, and sensational media trial of his illustrious time as Governor of Plateau State which the Lalong administration now leads to the fringes of nihilism.”

 The statement said, “For the umpteenth time, the former governor and senator finds it most apt to reiterate his stand on the issue in perspective, as it relates to his stewardship in Plateau State which has undoubtedly benefited the people that he absolutely without equivocation has nothing to hide.”