By Nnabugwu Chizoba
 |
| Rt Hon. Barr Simon Bako Lalong, Executive Governor, Plateau State. |
An appeal has been made by the
Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon Barr. Simon Bako Lalong, to the Banks
operating in Plateau state to consider it necessary to create bank products and services favourable
to the development of MSME sub-sector of the Plateau state economy.
This appeal was made in Jos, the
Plateau state capital during the 2016 Jos Area Bankers Dinner and Award
Ceremony, held on the 4th of March, 2017. Speaking during the occasion, the Governor,
represented by the Special Adviser, Investment and Finance, Mr. Patrick Dariem,
a Fellow of the Association of National Accountants
of Nigeria (ANAN), showered accolades to the banking community in the
state, saying they have remained worthy partners and active participants, in
the effort of the government to impact the people and improve their living
standard meaningfully. He appreciated the banks Chief Executives for their
understanding, hardwork and indeed contributing significantly towards ensuring
that nothing else, but good governance, which the governor promised the people is
achieved during his tenure as the Governor of Plateau State.
Mr. Patrick Dariem, recalled
vividly the efforts and commitment of the banks to overcome the challenges and pressure
of the last quarter of 2016, December to be precise, when the Rt. Hon. Barr
Simon Bako Lalong’s led government, against every odds, paid the backlog of
salaries owed Plateau state workers by previous government, including the 8
months pension owed to the state pensioners, but cleared by the Governor.
Mr. Patrick Dariem, therefore, used
the opportunity provided by the Bankers Forum to thank the banks, individually
and collectively, saying “I lack words to express the feeling of government in this
show of support”. He then called on the organizers
of the event, to bear with the government, with regard to the governor not
being physically present at the occasion, sighted unforeseen circumstances as
the only reason for it. He sued for their understanding noting that the
governor holds them in very high esteem.
Continuing in his brief speech, Mr.
Dariem, pointed the importance of MSMEs to development and on the strength of
this appeal to the banks to see the need to create banking products and
services that will meet the need of the average business person on the Plateau.
After the event, our reporter
interviewed Mr. Patrick Dariem, during which she demanded to know the expectations
of government from the citizens, considering the Governor’s avowed assurances over
time; to give citizens the best in terms of providing the deliverable of democratic
governance, this is the response of Mr. Dariem:
“Your unflinching support to the
Governor throughout this journey of ensuring that citizens on the Plateau witness
real democratic governance will always be counted upon. In this regard we call
on citizens to be up and doing, as we expect them to always fulfill their own part
of the bargain, especially in paying their taxes, so that government can
generate enough revenue to deliver on the promises made to you. We urge you to
be law abiding at all times, to use avenues provided by the government to
relate with government institutions and to rely on such platforms to strengthen
the structures of governance in the state”.
In a related development during
the interview Mr. Dariem, when asked about the on-goings in the area of providing enabling business environment for MSMEs in the state, and his response is:
“On our part, as government, I
mean, talking about investment on the Plateau, all necessary efforts are being
made to bring about improved business environment. We’re quite aware that it is
only an enabling environment that can bring about improved investment in the
state. That is why the government, as you would have noticed has been working assiduously
on both the physical and non-physical infrastructure development in the state.
Knowing the importance of good road network to business activities, the APC
government led by the Governor, Rt. Hon Barr Simon Bako Lalong has deployed
every machinery in motion to ensure that the roads are in good shape. Similarly
the tax authority is working hard to improve every aspect of tax
administration, to make it convenient for the people, who ultimately are the
focus of this government. The same thing is happening at the lands and survey,
where the governor has graciously approved up to 50% discount in some of her
services. Other organs and departments of the government are busy engaging with
the people, to ensure that whatever policies and procedures finally adopted
will be people driven and people oriented”.
On a lighter note Mr. Dariem,
remarked: If SCORELINE did not talk about MSMEs and Enabling Business
Environment, who will?
He then used the opportunity to
commend Belford and SCORELINE for the good work they are doing on the Plateau,
saying:
“None of your activities concerning
the development of entrepreneurship and business in Plateau State passes
unnoticed by the government and the good people of Plateau state. We cannot
thank you enough.
A participant at the Bankers forum
Mr. Peter Gbason, reacting to a question posed to him by our reporter,
regarding the inability of the Governor to attend the occasion in person said:
“While it is the expectation of
many people, especially, organizers of events that sitting governors will
attend every programme that he/she is invited, it is also important to
underscore the fact that such may not be expedient, considering the exigencies of
their office. So people must learn to bear with the truth as it relates to
issues as this. Let me also note that such expectations are good. And that is
why whenever there is opportunity to do so, the governors must take it, as it
provides them the unique opportunity to see and access things by themselves”.
Beyond that, Mr. Gbokson
continued
“The people must understand that
it is not about the governor as a person, but the institution of governance. It
is for this reason that the system has generously provided the office of the governor
with litany of assistants, as represented by different nomenclatures, which in
reality and in monetary terms cause the people fortune to maintain those
offices. I say, it is high time the people begin to shift emphasis on the
governors, to instead insisting that the governors deploy the apparatus of
governance effectively.
Take the case at hand presently as
a study. The representative of the governor in this event is the Special
Adviser on investment and finance. A seasoned Professional and of course, expert
in investment, finance, accounting and the likes. In fact a thorough breed. Without
mincing words, I say the governor should be commended, rather than criticized. Don’t
forget that the office of the Special Adviser to the governor is a very serious
one. It is a constitutional provision of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
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