The Plateau State Governor, Barrister Simon Lalong, has urged newly appointed government officials in the state to justify the confidence reposed in them by focusing on issues that would proffer solutions to the myriad of problems.
Lalong said this on Thursday during the swearing-in ceremony of the first set of appointees in his administration.
Among those sworn-in were the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Rufus Bature; the Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon. John Dafaan; and Chief Dan Dul, the Chairman of Langtang North Local Government Council.
Lalong said his administration is on a rescue mission and the challenges, expectations and stakes are now much higher than before.
He thuscharged the appointees to see their call as challenge to service.
He said: “Indeed we have a big task ahead of us in ensuring that we put smiles on the faces of our people and the responsibility of this public trust must be carried out with diligence and vigilance to ensure that it is not abused.
“I have no doubt in my mind that you will bring on board your wealth of experience in order to ensure the smooth take-off of this administration.”
Lalong stated that as the days roll by and the transition committee receives all the vital inputs from stakeholders in the ongoing consultations, all other structures of government would be put in place.
He also used the occasion to swear-in Dul.
Dul was elected in February 2013 amidst controversy over alleged electoral irregularities in Jat ward, a case in which a court of competent jurisdiction later ruled in his favour.
But former Governor Jonah Jang refused to recognise him.
However, Governor Lalong said: “In line with this government’s philosophy of respect and obedience to the rule of law, we are today swearing-in the elected Chairman of Langtang North Local Government Council.
“As you offer the leadership at the local government level, you must lead your people with fairness and justice and strive to give them robust and impacted leadership.”
Lalong also appealed to the good people of Plateau State to leave behind all that took place in the past and rally round his government as a new vista of opportunity in the state.
“Indeed, we are in an era of collective participation that is expected to engender the holistic development of our state,” he added.
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