Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has unveiled that the state achieved significant savings exceeding N500 million as a result of a comprehensive staff audit aimed at verifying the authentic and accurate number of employees on the state’s payroll.
He disclosed this during the swearing-in ceremony of 19 Commissioners and the inauguration of members of the Teachers Service Commission. He used the occasion to challenge the appointees to perform their roles diligently while serving the people of the state.
Mutfwang who addressed the appointees at the event held in Jos reminded them that the opportunity given to them to serve is not the time to pursue selfish goals and desires but to add value to governance in the State.
He also assured women and youths of giving them the opportunity to serve where necessary, appealed for patience among his supporters as governance progresses, stated that he is working to provide palliative to cushion the effects of the economic hardship on the people and promised the civil servants of the payment of their salaries.
Speaking shortly after the swearing-in ceremony, the Governor said, “… I promised I will carry the women along, I know we have not done enough but we will do more to bring the women on board… The youths should be patient with us, we will mentor you to step into leadership successfully…
“For the Commissioners, this is not an opportunity to pursue your selfish goals and desires, you don’t represent your local government area but the people of Plateau State, fight for your brothers and sisters, Plateau must be liberated from the shackles of poverty and insecurity. We will be checking your performances, once your performance is not satisfactory, others will be given the chance to perform… We will continue to select people who will add value to Plateau State.
“We embarked upon staff verification, and we have saved nothing less than N500m from the exercise… We are working on getting palliative for the people, don’t rush the warehouses, the palliative will not be diverted but it will get to the poorest of the poor first…”
To the religious leaders, he cautioned them against fanning the embers of hatred on the account of faith assuring, “I am the governor for all, we will work on the path of fairness and justice.”
The Governor further charged those inaugurated to add value in their respective offices as he assigned portfolios to the Commissioners.