Insecurity: Lalong Weeps Bitterly, Will Buhari Wipe His Tears?

 

By Munatare Munashak

Governor Simon Bako Lalong, the Chairman of the Northern Governor’s Forum and Governor Of plateau state has taken the cry of 468,555 Plateau voters that voted for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari to clinch 45.28% of votes from Plateau state that added to his winning streak to emerge as president again in 2019 to the door steps of the presidential Villa.

Governor Lalong who is seen in the court of public opinion as a staunch loyalist to the President and even accused by his detractors as a stooge of the President and the Northern oligarchy has humbled himself before the President like a child will innocently go to his father to ask for fish knowing fully well that the father will not give him snake instead.

Wisdom is profitable to ask for help when constrained, especially if the end will eventually justify the means,as lobbying is also part of our democratic tenets.

Lalong has reached out for help as it is obvious that Plateau state Government cannot foot the bill to rebuild the biggest market in West Africa.

Lalong made the appeal on Friday, at the Presidential Villa, during a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Governor said the State government needs about N15 billion to rebuild the market, which was one of the main sources of revenue for the State.

Addressing State House Correspondents soon after the meeting, Governor Lalong said:
“On behalf of my State I made an appeal to the President. In Plateau State, one of the things that were keeping us was the Jos Mani Market, which was burnt down and up to date, it is difficult for us to rebuild that market; you know the market is very essential to people.

“I have tried in several ways but definitely like a father, I also came to him seeking intervention, to start rebuilding the Jos Main Market. Based on the assessment done so far, we need between N12-15 billion to rebuild that market.

“Jos Main Market was brought down by dynamites some years back; when there was insecurity, almost the same market when the World Trade Centre in the US was attacked. Since then, it has been very difficult to rebuild. We have tried collaborating with investors but that has not worked and now we are overstretched by COVID-19 so we cannot even do much. Recently we have been hearing about markets being burnt and interventions here and there. As it is now, we don’t have a market so we need such interventions too so that we can start rebuilding that market.”

Plateau State has been battling to rebuild the Jos Main market and a plethora of other abandoned Government projects like Roc Hotel Lamingo,farin gada stadium,pandam game reserve,panyam fishfarm,the resuscitation of Barc farms,JIB and others that’s will revitalize economic activities in the state.

Governor Lalong has made a resonating life saving plea to the President for intervention,will President ‘Bubu’ who is a proud father of “Lally Boy” initiate proceedings to see that the market is rebuilt as a thank you and parting gift to the people of Plateau that once housed the General at Rukuba barracks?

In the spirit of thinking Plateau and Acting Plateau,all our Senators,Rep members,House of Assembly members federal Government appointees and traditional rulers should cue behind the Governor by speaking with one voice across party divide or political sentiments to ensure the President acts on this request that will ensure the Jos main market is rebuilt.

Patriotic Plateau state citizens,we have to make progress as a state.

Munatare Munashak reporting from Aso Rock Farmhouse.