Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Dan Manjang  said Governor Simon Lalong sinks at least N2.5 billion monthly as emolument of civil servants and pensioners despite the COVID-19 pandemic,  to sustain the economy of the state.


He noted that the Lalong administration has prioritised the  payment of salary and pension to ease the effect of the dreaded pandemic on Plateau people.


Hon. Manjang disclosed this on Friday in Jos during an interview and said the state was ready for the implementation of the new minimum wage when the global COVID-19 pandemic emerged.


"When we talk about payment of salary, some people say it is not an achievement and I asked, if payment of salary is not an achievement, what is the lack of payment of salary?


"The minimum amount  of money that  circulates in Plateau every month is between N2 and N2.5 billion as emolument of civil servants and pensioners and that has boosted and sustained the economy of the state.


"We have continued to pay salary as at when due including the 7-9 months of salary arrears inherited from previous administration. We were about to pay the new minimum wage when COVID-19 pandemic interrupted it."


Manjang explained that the spike in COVID-19 infection in the state was as a result of high level of testing, particularly at the community level.


 "There is increase in community testing for the disease as Plateau State has 3 testing Centres at the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, Plateau Specialist Hospital and Jos University Teaching Hospital."


He noted that Governor Lalong directed all civil servants in the state to embark on COVID-19 test, which most communities in the state including communities under Vwang District took part as directed by their traditional rulers which gave rise to the figure in the country.


He said the state regretted having recorded 29 deaths so far, and expressed determination of the Lalong administration in combating the scourge in the state.  


Manjang said the state has cut the cost of governance by 40 percent and  reduced allowances of political office holders by 50 percent, to sustain the state's economy.


"We have accommodated N11 billion in the revised 2020 Appropriation Bill for COVID-19 and we spend N10,000 per each test of COVID-19  and treat infected persons free."