Plateau lost N75 billion to looting, vandalism — Lalong

PLATEAU State Governor, Simon Lalong has disclosed what his state lost financially to the wave of looting and vandalism that swept through the country recently.

Lalong said private and public properties looted in the state are worth N75 billion.
He stated this on Friday while interacting with youths in the state at the Government House in Jos.

“The level of destruction and carnage is unbelievable and unacceptable. We are still trying to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the total cost of the damage.

“However, the preliminary report by a team of experts I constituted has estimated the losses to be put at about 75 billion naira for now,” Lalong said.

The governor lamented that it would take Plateau many years to fully recover from damage to structures and looting of properties.

He emphasised on the need for youths to put the interest of the state at heart, noting that it was easier to build than to destroy.

“Since coming into power, my administration has remained committed to pursuing the economic development of the state through youth empowerment and job creation.

“You would agree with me that the enormity of the challenges we face cannot be resolved overnight or with a wave of the hand. It is a process that all of us must collectively work together to achieve,” Lalong stated.