Don’t sell public assets, group cautions Plateau govt.

By Polycarp Auta

An NGO, Youth Initiative Against Violence and Human Rights Abuse (YIAVHA), has cautioned the Plateau goverment against selling properties belonging to the state.

Mr Jacob Pwakim, the Executive Director of the organisation,  gave the warning at a news conference in Jos.

Pwakim alleged plans by the government to sell buildings, vehicles and other landed government properties in Abuja, Kaduna and Jos.

He also alleged that vehicles and other properties at the Plateau Board of Internal Revenue Service were converted to personal ownership by government officials, while vehicles spare parts were being replaced with substandard ones.

”There are allegations of indiscriminate sale of government lands, buildings, vehicles, tractors and other equipment within and outside the state.

”For instance, in Jos, new beacons have been constructed at the Dogon Dutse quaters, West of mines quarters, Senior staff quarters at Bauchi road and Rogotak Za’aang, new Jos South stadium.

”In Abuja, items within the state’s housing estate at Gwarimpa, have been sold to individuals; land, properties and vehicles at the Kaduna and Lagos laison offices have been sold out.

”It is true that the sitting governor can still make decisions and take actions until the new government is sworn-in on May 29, but the outgoing government should be guided by both moral and legal burden of responsibility.

It should not take actions that contravenes the laws of the land and principle of good conscience,” he said.

Pwakim called on Gov. Simon Lalong to look into the grave allegations so as to ensure a smooth transition from his administration to its successor.

The executive director also faulted the recruitment of 4,000 workers across various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) at the twilight of the admistration.

He also alleged an ongoing backdated promotion of civil servants that were due for promotion years ago, but were never given the opportunity

”If the assertion is true, it is unfortunate because the intention of the recruitment and back-dated promotion of civil servants is to set up a booby trap for the incoming administration.

”This will take the wage bill of the state to the roof and make things difficult for the incoming government.

”So, we call on the governor, appointees, civil servants not to indulge in activties that may jeopardise the stability of the incoming administration,” Pwakim appealed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes Prof. Danladi Atu, Secretary to the State Government, as telling newsmen recently  that the state government had no plans to sell any property belonging to the state.

Atu claimed that the Lalong-led administration had, rather, added value to the state by purchasing more properties for it.

(NAN)