Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has pointed fingers at the previous administration, led by Muhammadu Buhari, for the current economic challenges in Nigeria.
During the swearing-in ceremony of 22 Special Advisers and heads of government agencies at the Government House in Jos, Mutfwang alleged that Buhari oversaw the printing and distribution of approximately N30 trillion.
“We are at a very difficult juncture in the history of this country and I’m an advocate that after the election you forget politics and face governance,” Mutfwang said.
“And even though the Federal Government is being led by a party other than my own, I owe you the duty to tell Nigerians the truth that this government inherited a worse situation than 1999.
“This government inherited an economy where we simply printed money up to the tune of N30tn and shared.
“This government inherited an economy where the crude oil we’re yet to take out of the ground had been sold in advance.
“So, when you’re talking about the fall of the naira, it’s not rocket science. We sold our future under the last administration.
“No wonder you’re hearing of riots today, people intercepting food on the way. We are lucky on the plateau that perhaps we have more food than many other states.
“And I pray that the time will not come on the Plateau that we will see this kind of riot for food, but it means we must roll up our sleeves and get to work.
“And that is why, for us as a government, when we announced one of the positions that talked about food security, people were laughing but it is a serious issue.”
Addressing the food security issue, Governor Mutfwang announced plans to establish a special agro-processing zone in partnership with the African Development Bank, with an investment of $300 million in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
He urged the newly appointed officials to rise to the challenge, noting the importance of competence and dedication in addressing the pressing issues facing the state.
“And to tell you that some of the appointees, I don’t know them, but because we want to get things done, we’re looking for the right people,” he said.