by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Musa Ibrahim Ashoms, says, Plateau State Government remains committed to responsible and transparent on financial management.
In a swift reaction to a media publication, he said, “The attention of the State Government has been drawn to a recent report by Sahara Reporters, dated July 24, 2024, contains misleading information regarding the state’s budgetary spending for the first quarter of 2024.”
Reacting in a statement signed by the Commissioner and issued to newsmen in Jos on Thursday, he said, “The article claims that 47 percent of the amount budgeted for capital expenditure was spent on official vehicles, raising concerns among citizens about the state’s spending priorities.
“We would like to clarify and correct these misrepresentations to clear any misconceptions and for the benefit of the general public,” he stated.
Hon. Ashoms explained that, “The procurement of official vehicles is part of a broader strategy to enhance the functionality and efficiency of state operations, which ultimately, benefits the citizens. It is important to note that all expenditures undergo rigorous scrutiny and are aligned with the state’s development goals.
“Public Engagement and Accountability: We value the concerns of our citizens and encourage public engagement in governance. The State Government regularly publishes detailed reports on budgetary allocations and expenditures, ensuring transparency and accountability. We urge the public to review these official documents for accurate information,” he said.
The Commissioner further pointed out that, the State Government is dedicated to the prudent use of public funds and the advancement of the state’s development agenda, saying, “We call on media organizations to verify facts and provide balanced reporting to avoid misinformation and undue alarm among the populace.”
He clarified that, on the Budgetary Allocation for Official Vehicles, the report erroneously suggests that N3.9 billion, representing 47 percent of the capital expenditure budgeted, was allocated for the purchase of official vehicles in Q1 2024.
“In reality, the N3.9 billion figure is part of the N152.8 billion total budgeted for this expenditure item for the entire year, representing approximately 2.5 percent for the first quarter of 2024.
“The report by Sahara Reporters is a gross misrepresentation of the percentages involved, not just the first quarter. The allocation for official vehicles in Q1 2024 was only a fraction of this annual budget.
“In Context of Vehicle Procurement: When the ‘Time is Now’ Administration, led by Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, assumed office, on May 29, 2023, it inherited a lack of functional official vehicles.
He said, “The previous administration left with all functional vehicles, despite the Committee for the Recovery of Government Assets recommending their return. Consequently, His Excellency used second-hand cars for nearly a year, and Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the government had no functional vehicles to operate effectively until the budgetary provisions for new vehicles were met.
“On the Economic Context and Inflation Impact, the procurement of vehicles was significantly influenced by the high inflation rate, which rose from 24.66 percent at the end of 2023 to 33.9 percent by the end of Q1 2024.
“Additionally, the exchange rate surged, from N903 to N1,600 per dollar within the same period, greatly affecting the prices of imported goods, including vehicles,” he stated.
On Capital Expenditure Priorities, the commissioner explained that, “The state’s capital expenditure budget for the first quarter of 2024 encompassed a wide range of critical projects, including infrastructure development, healthcare improvements, and educational advancements.
“The expenditure on official vehicles is a necessary part of ensuring efficient operation and service delivery across various government departments, but it does not overshadow other essential capital projects,” he noted.