Lalong dissolves cabinet, votes N250 million for ranching

The Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong, yesterday dissolved the state executive cabinet.

The governor expressed his appreciation to the commissioners for their selfless service and immense contributions these past years, in delivering to the people of the state the dividends of democracy and in engendering hope in the APC-led administration in the state.

The governor did this just as he voted N250 million for the establishment of cattle ranching in the state in this year’s budget.

In a statement dissolving the cabinet yesterday, Director of Press and Publicity, Mr. Emmanuel Samuel Nanle said, “while wishing the commissioners the best in their future endeavour, the governor assures them that as stakeholders in the Plateau project, their wealth of experience would continuously be relied upon in building the Plateau of our dream. He therefore calls on them not to relent in availing their services when called upon in the future to serve the state.

“The commissioners are to hand over to permanent secretaries in their respective ministries.’’

The state government yesterday also said it would continue to maintain its zero tolerance for corruption and mismanagement by ensuring discipline in all financial transactions as it relates to managing the state’s lean resources.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Alhaji Sani Yahaya, stated this while addressing journalists at the 2018 budget breakdown in Jos.

Yahaya said this year’s budget implementation will be different as the budget has been approved in good time, “and we shall explore all necessary avenues to source for funds to finance the budget.”

“The Agricultural sub-sector is receiving a boost in this year’s budget, with the state government allocating the sum of N4.1 billion and N250 million was earmarked for the establishment and management of ranches.

He said N150 million was earmarked for the acquisition of relief materials and rehabilitation of internally displaced person as a result of attacks and other natural phenomenon across the state.’’

He further said that to revamp the education standard, the administration has committed N11, 930,062,607.00 to this sub sector, representing 16.92 per cent of the capital estimate.

Similarly the sum of N4, 352, 033, 311.00 was approved for the health sector, some of the major projects in the health sector includes completion and expansion of three General hospitals at Riyom, Mabudi, and Kwal, building and renovation of Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos. Upgrading of General Hospital Langtang to Referal hospital and upgrading of General Hospital, Pankshin to Referral hospital.