Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau States says his administration has only committed about N366.5 so far to the COVID-19 fight.
Mr Lalong disclosed this during his address on Monday in Jos, the capital city.
He said; “In terms of financial commitment, the state government has so far committed about N366.5 million naira to the fight against Covid-19.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, while alleging wasteful spending under Simon’s administration, accused him of “lavishing” the sum of N1 billion to fight the pandemic.
The PDP publicity secretary in the state, John Akans, made the allegation on Wednesday.
During the media briefing on Monday, Mr Lalong explained that in addition to the amount committed, the state launched the Plateau State Covid-19 Endowment Fund which saw good spirited individuals and corporate organisations making donations.
“We are grateful to kind hearted people including many of you that contributed about N123.3 million as well as other food and medical items valued at about N155 million. We similarly appreciate the World Health Organisation that recently donated N100 million to the state government which has greatly helped us to treat those infected by the virus.”
He said such donations enhanced the state’s capacity to distribute palliatives to the weak and vulnerable to cushion the impact of the pandemic.
“The distributions have been handled in the most transparent manner under the supervision of His Excellency, the deputy governor, Prof. Sonni Tyoden.”
