Governor Lalong is applying every rule in the book to navigate the difficult economic challenges of governance.

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Like many of the other 35 governors in the country, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has been worried by the seeming paucity of funds to carry out his promises to the electorate. What may, however, be separating him from the pack is his seemingly innovative approach to the challenges.

Though a lawyer, his first approach was to adopt common housekeeping techniques including cutting down on cost of governance.

The governor initially delayed the appointment of the full complement of political officers as he only appointed a few officials including the Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, Director of Press and a sprinkling of other essential aides.

He, however, delayed the appointment of commissioners until more than six months after his inauguration.

Lalong

Having finally appointed the 17 Commissioners, streamlining the Ministries and providing them with the latest model of Ford vehicles; the Governor still insists that the State is in dire need of funds explaining that the allocation from the federation account is getting lower each month hence the need to look inward and seek new ways of improving the internally generated revenue.

To make the message sink in, the State Government in collaboration with the German International Corporation, GIZ organized a four-day retreat for members of the State Executive Council and other government officials to impress on them the need to deliver effective service in an era of dwindling resources and maximally improve on the IGR.

The retreat held at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru saw participants being exposed to ways of governance with limited resources and Resource Persons like the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi among others sharing their experiences in governance.

Addressing the participants at the opening ceremony of the event, the State Governor, Simon Lalong tasked them to hit the ground running and engage in critical thinking which will ensure tangible and progressive development in the State.

Speaking on the theme of the Retreat tagged: “Delivering Effective Service in an Era of Dwindling Resources”, he urged them to key into his aim of creating enabling environment that will grow the State’s economy adding that the economic challenges have compelled the Government to see ahead, look ahead, prepare ahead and be ahead, if they desire to make the kind of positive pact the government seeks to make.

According to him, “The Rescue Administration in the State is taking one more step in her match towards bequeathing a durable and virile State to the next generation. This can be achieved as we pursue the accomplishments of the goals we have set to achieve.

Tangible deliverables

“Our success is a function of how informed we are of the policies, programmes and action plans of government, couple with our abilities to interpret and translate them into tangible deliverable for our people.

“The tangible and progressive development we seek demands continuous knowledge driven action, which saves cost and maximizes opportunities. Our economic challenges have compelled us to see ahead, look ahead, prepare ahead if we desire to make the kind of impact we seek.”

At the end of the retreat, the participants resolved to look inward and expand the sources and amount of Internally Generated Revenue, IGR of the State to improve on the dwindling resources accruable to the State.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the event, they highlighted the areas of focus in improving the State’s revenue stressing they will focus on agriculture, tourism and mining as well as intensify efforts on investment to create employment.

Reading the communiqué on behalf of the participants, the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr. Rufus Bature added that Government will continue to work and improve its collaboration with development partners for the good of the State.

He said, “In view of the dwindling resources, government agencies must look inward to expand the sources and amount of IGR. Three key areas of comparative advantage namely; agriculture, tourism and mining will be focused on.

“Investment will be intensified to create employment, boost its revenue base for sustainable development. To succeed in the implementation of the five-point Policy Thrust, we will work towards a robust relationship with the Legislative arm of government.

Processes and procedures

“The role of the Civil Service in the delivery of the five-point Policy Thrust is critical therefore, the reform of its processes and procedures become imperative. Government will continue to work and improve its collaboration will development partners.”

The participants further resolved that the peace and security being the bedrock of development will be achieved and sustained and welfare of the citizens improved upon to arrest the decay and give everyone a sense of belonging.

However, the State Deputy Governor, Prof. Sonni Tyoden who declared the event closed called on the participants to examine their values, “be accountable to Government and God.”

Meanwhile, the participants unanimously agreed thus, “We the members of the Plateau State Executive Council will be committed to; and be driven by the fear of God, accountability, integrity, innovation and harmonious coexistence of our people.

“We will strive to offer selfless and effective service to our people even in the face of dwindling resources and will remain focused on the development of the State in line with the five point policy thrust of the Rescue administration.”

Speaking on his experience at the event, the Senior Special Adviser to Governor on Media, Mr. Mark Longyen said “The retreat was apt and timely considering the current dwindling financial allocation from the federation account.